Rexroth, Kenneth

The Collected Longer Poems of Kenneth Rexroth

New York, NY: New Directions Books, 1968. First Edition. Hardcover. "This is a companion volume to the Collected Shorter Poems of Kenneth Rexroth which was published in 1967. It contains all of the poet's long poems...Among the finest of Rexroth's shorter poems are the contemplative lyrics; it now becomes clear as we can read the long poems together and in sequence that he is a philosophical poet of consequence who offers us a comprehensive system of values based in the realization of the ethical mysticism of universal responsibility. He is concerned, above all, with process: the movement from the Dual to the Other." (from front flap) A collection of all the longer poems through the time of publication (1968) of Kenneth Rexroth (1905-1982), the great American poet who was a most influential mentor to the primary figures of the Beat Generation & the San Francisco Renaissance- he was even the "Master of Ceremonies" at the legendary Six Gallery reading in San Francisco held during 1955 in which Allen Ginsberg first recited "Howl." Here are contained in one volume the five outstanding longer Rexroth poems written from 1920 through 1968, from "The Homestead Called Damascus" (1920-25) to "The Heart's Garden, The Garden's Heart" (1967-68). With an introduction by Rexroth, Hardcover in clipped dust jacket, first edition, a stately production of James Laughlin's brave & venerable New Directions imprint- the final section of the last poem, "The Spark in the Tinder of Knowing," is dedicated to Laughlin (pgs. 306-307). An essential rarity for the collector-scholar of Kenneth Rexroth & 20th-century American poetry. Book in very fine condition with only very light rubbing & browning to side & lower edges of text block; slight fading & spotting of black-dyed upper edge of same; otherwise substantially mint inside & out. Unrestored dust jacket near-fine with very slight rubbing & browning to front, back covers, spine & flaps; mild wear, tiny creases & somewhat extensive chipping at thin edges & corners of same; one small tear-chip with loss of paper at lower spine-edge; sticker residue in blank area near lower right corner of back cover; (different) publisher's small circular price sticker affixed to blank area of front flap just next to clipped lower right corner. Very Fine / Near Fine. [Item #4312]

Price: $75.00