Berkson, Bill

Since When: A Memoir in Pieces

ISBN: 978566895293
Minneapolis, MN: Coffee House Press, 2018. First Edition. Softcover. "Bill Berkson was a poet, art critic, and joyful participant in the best of post-war and bohemian American culture. Since When gathers the ephemera of a life well lived, a collage of boldface names, parties, exhibitions, and literary history from a man who could write "of [Truman Capote's Black and White] ball, which I attended as my mother's escort, I have little recollection" and reminisce about imagining himself as a character from Tolstoy while tripping on acid at Woodstock. Gentle, witty, and eternally generous, this is Bill, and a particular moment in American history at its best." (front flap) A posthumous compilation of miscellaneous writings by Bill Berkson (1939-2016), the esteemed American poet, critic, educator & curator most associated with the New York School through his collaborations with Ted Berrigan, Joe Brainard, Frank O'Hara et al. (see esp. our Item No.s 2740, 2844 & 2927) As these pieces & the many reproductions of photographs tell & show, Berkson was one of those charmed, almost Zelig-like literary & cultural figures to & from whom all roads seemed to have led & ascended. He knew them all as the saying goes, & attended every legendary gathering of art, literature & culture- from Woodstock in 1969, the Spoleto festival in 1965, the Naropa Institute in 1978, before & beyond. We see Berkson in the company of John Ashbery, William S. Burroughs, Caresse Crosby, Allen Ginsberg, Charles Olson, John Wieners & so many others; & he records his impressions of legendary people & events with the gentle wit & generosity noted above. With an introduction by the acclaimed art critic Holland Carter. A beautiful Coffee House Press production, trade-format softcover original with flaps in sewn binding, first edition, first printing as indicated by number sequence on copyright page. A most rich & rewarding "Memoir in Pieces" by this great American man of arts & letters. In very fine condition with only a bit of rubbing & faint scratching to front, back covers & spine; a few tiny bumps, creases at thin edges & corners of same & flaps. Interior very fine, substantially mint. Very Fine. [Item #4285]

Price: $25.00