Various (Blackburn, Paul; Dahlberg, Edward; Ferlinghetti, Lawrence; Ginsberg, Allen; Kerouac, Jack; Laughlin, James; Levertov, Denise; Purdy, James; Rexroth, Kenneth; Williams, William Carlos et al.)

New Directions in Prose and Poetry No. 16

New York, NY: New Directions Books, 1957. First Softcover Edition. Softcover. "Is there a "literary underground" in America- a group of undiscovered talents in revolt against mass culture, who are already shaping the literature of the future? This new anthology in the well-known series attempts to answer this question with stories, poems, plays and essays, many of them by new writers." (from back cover) A particularly rare & important number in the series of anthologies published by James Laughlin's New Directions imprint. The most significant contribution here for our Beat Generation purposes is "A Billowy Trip in the World from On the Road," a chapter-excerpt of the breakthrough novel by Jack Kerouac that would be published only several months after this anthology (Charters, B3, pgs. 55-56). Also in this volume are contributions by Kerouac's fellow Beat Founding Fathers Lawrence Ferlinghetti & Allen Ginsberg (the latter including "Sunflower Sutra," Dowden Section C, pg. 51; Morgan, C52, pg. 230); Beat precursors & mentors including Kenneth Rexroth & a large section of "The Lost Poems" of William Carlos Williams; & many more including Paul Blackburn, Edward Dahlberg, editor-publisher Laughlin himself, Denise Levertov and James Purdy. Mass-market format softcover in sewn binding, first edition, published simultaneously with a hardcover edition during July 1957 (again see Charters, B3, pgs. 55-56). A Beats-&-Co. cornerstone among early anthologies; an essential collectible. In relatively exceptional, very fine condition with only mild rubbing to front, back covers & spine; a bit of wear & a few tiny bumps at edges & corners of same; mild rubbing, browning & sparse spotting to edges of text block. Interior very fine with only moderate browning esp. to blank margins of page leaves; tiny bumps, creases to corners of a few of same. Very Fine. [Item #4260]

Price: $60.00