Various (Ring, Kevin (Editor); Amram, David; Cassady, Neal; Ferlinghetti, Lawrence; Holmes, John Clellon; Kerouac, Jack; McClure, Michael; Snyder, Gary; Weaver, Helen; Welch, Lew; Whalen, Philip et al.)

Beat Scene No. 60: A Jack Kerouac Special Issue (Autumn 2009)

Coventry, England: The Beat Scene Press, 2009. First Printing. Stapled Wrappers. This special issue of the magazine-format literary journal edited & published by Kevin Ring in the UK is devoted to Jack Kerouac, Founding Father of the Beat Generation, & begins with a robust, rollicking prose letter from John Clellon Holmes to Kerouac written in 1958. This rare, often overlooked letter was remarkably not included in the Kerouac Selected Letters 1957-1969 volume & echoes the energy and exuberance that colored & comprised his now-canonized "Spontaneous Bop Prosody." Later in the issue, Ring interviews Helen Weaver, a former girlfriend of Kerouac during the 1950s, about her life & times with Kerouac, & her published memoir of the experiences that occurred during that time. Another precious letter included is one sent from poet Gary Snyder expressing praise & gratitude to his friend Jack upon reading an early copy of the then freshly-released book, The Dharma Bums (where Snyder is famously portrayed as "Japhy Ryder"). Also included is a valuable remembrance from Michael McClure of the time spent with Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Lew Welch, Philip Whalen & Kerouac at Ferlinghetti's Big Sur cabin retreat during 1960 (an episode that is part of the basis of Kerouac's 1962 novel Big Sur). Also, a contribution by Ring spotlighting the labyrinthine legal entanglement surrounding Kerouac's literary estate & its most recent developments as of 2009; an excerpt from musician David Amram's memoir Offbeat and an article by Ring regarding Neal Cassady's first letter of March 1947 to Kerouac; & much more. With many rare, vintage images throughout, including of Kerouac & Weaver dining together in NYC on front cover. A very special issue indeed, of particular interest to the Kerouac devotee, in this most collectible series which always & eminently upholds its front cover motto: "This is the Beat Generation." In very fine condition with only the slightest rubbing to front, back covers & stapled spine; a bit of wear, a few tiny bumps & short, faint creases at edges & corners of same. Interior very fine with only tiny bumps to upper corners of a few page leaves. Very Fine. [Item #4143]

Price: $30.00