Arnold, Bob

Broadside: "Yokel" with: Invent a World

ISBN: 0965202992
Ellsworth, ME; Eugene, OR: Backwoods Broadsides; Mountains & Rivers Press, 2003; 2005. Limited First Editions. Folded Sheet; sewn wrappers. Broadside inscribed & signed by Bob Arnold to Thomas Rain Crowe; chapbook signed by Bob Arnold. "If it just kept on raining/ -far past the notion of an ark/ would we have a new mythology/ to take its place" ("Getting Past the Text," pg. 12, Invent a World) Two collectible productions by Bob Arnold, a noted Vermont poet, bookseller, stonemason & builder inspired by the venerable American state where he resides: (1) "Yokel," a folded broadside (appx. 3&1/2" x 8&1/2" folded, 14" x 8&1/2" unfolded), No. 72 in publisher's "Chaplet Series," a single sheet folded vertically into four panels with printing on all sides, resulting in eight pages. With eleven poems, short Arnold biography, list of other numbers in publisher's series. On rear panel (seventh side unfolded), Arnold has hand-written & signed in bold black ink: "To Thomas/ as ever (signed) Bob Arnold." "Thomas" is Thomas Rain Crowe, the acclaimed North Carolina 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). (2) Invent a World, a collection of poems. A beautiful, hand-crafted chapbook production in sewn illustrated wrappers, one of an edition of 150 un-numbered copies signed by Arnold in bold blue ink at colophon. As the poet & translator J.P. Seaton writes on back cover, with a nod to Arnold's poetry as well as masonry: "Words are stones here: hard and solid always, but smooth or rough, sharp or round, as needed. Bob Arnold's stone steps most often seem to rise toward light; his walls, to keep out only the cold. One of America's best poets- therefore too little known?" Two exceedingly rare Arnold collectibles, one with rich & kindred poet-to-poet association & provenance. (1) in very fine condition with only tiny bumps at some corners. (2) also very fine with only very slight wear & a few tiny bumps, creases at thin edges & corners of front, back covers & sewn spine. Interior very fine with only tiny bumps at corners of some page leaves. Very Fine. [Item #3890]

Price: $40.00 save 20% $32.00