Enslin, Theodore

The July Book

Berkeley, CA: Sand Dollar Books/ Jack Shoemaker, 1976. First Edition. Softcover. Inscribed & signed by Theodore Enslin to Thomas Rain Crowe. A book of prose-poetic diary entries by Theodore Enslin (1925-2011), the venerable, prolific poet who was first associated with Cid Corman's Origin magazine & press, Charles Olson, Robert Creeley, & the Black Mountain & Objectivist Schools. Enslin studied music, & his poetry is considered to be distinguished with a special "musicality" among American poets. There is a distinct musical aspect to these entries, as well as similarities to Thoreau & especially Olson- Like the latter, Enslin lived much of his life in a historic locality which he plumbed deeply until the particular took on the significance of the universal. In Olson's case the place of inspiration was his home of Gloucester, Massachusetts; with Enslin it was the near-isolated rural coast of Maine where he lived much of his life. With several beautiful illustrations by Chuck Miller which evoke & enrich the text. Large-format softcover original, first edition. On blank front endpaper, Enslin has hand-written & signed: "For Tom-/ One old farmer/ to another/ love,/ (signed) Ted." "Tom" is Thomas Rain Crowe, the acclaimed poet & publisher who was at the center of the Baby Beat Generation/ Second San Francisco Renaissance during the 1970s (see our book, Starting from San Francisco, item No. 3071, Deluxe Edition No. 3075). Crowe was born, raised in & has returned for most of his life to rural North Carolina, he & Enslin are kindred spirits rooted to the land and its native cultures. A key (if not poetically exemplary) Enslin collectible with especially rich & relevant poet-to-poet association & provenance. In fine condition with mild rubbing, scratching & light spotting to front, back covers & spine; mild wear & a few tiny bumps, small creases at edges & corners of same; moderate spotting to edges of text block. Interior very fine with only small bumps, creases at corners of some page leaves. Fine. [Item #3738]

Price: $40.00 save 20% $32.00