Clark, Tom

Apocalyptic Talkshow with: Ephemera

Stout, OH: Bloody Twin Press, 1987; 1988; 1990. Limited First Edition. Sewn Wrappers; Photograph; Postcard. Chapbook with drawing & signed autograph poem by Tom Clark; photograph with Clark's hand-notations on verso. "If the wind sets off people's car alarms/ is that legitimate inspiration/ or merely nature's way of seeking social approval" ("Animated Bedlam") A chapbook of poems by Tom Clark (1941-2018), the prolific American poet, editor, novelist, biographer & artist who was originally associated with the New York School but by the time of this mid-career work had fully developed several thoughtfully topical & humorous styles all his own. With Clark's front cover, title page & colophon illustrations (of rodents, apparently a favorite subject during this period). A beautiful hand-crafted production in sewn wrappers, one of 300 (un-numbered) copies produced during Autumn 1987 per colophon. Though not called for therein, on blank page leaf preceding title page Clark has hand-drawn a rodent & written a short poem-statement, which he has signed & dated at time of publication ("12.87"), all in blue ink. Additionally, there are two pieces of ephemera loosely included: An original developed color photograph depicting Clark in front of a window-landscape, with his hand-written note & date on verso: "(at Juliet's apartment) July 1990." Also, a postcard from publisher Bloody Twin Press with hand-written address of Water Row Books (the imprint & enterprise of our good friend & mentor Jeffrey Weinberg) & postmark of January 2, 1988 on recto; the poem "Thought for the 90's" (among the poems in the chapbook), the same drawing of a trio of rodents as front cover of & information about this item on verso. A very rare Clark collectible, especially with this signed drawing & autograph poem, hand-annotated photograph & postcard. Chapbook in very fine condition, substantially mint inside & out. Photograph very fine with only one very small, faint crease at mid-left area of image not effecting same; one tiny spot at blank area of verso. Postcard very fine with faint partial postmarks & small undiscernable stampings on verso not effecting legibility of texts or images. Very Fine. [Item #3913]

Price: $80.00