Laughlin, James; Rexroth, Kenneth

Kenneth Rexroth and James Laughlin: Selected Letters

ISBN: 0393029395
New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Company, 1991. First Edition. Hardcover. "The letters gathered here have been selected from the surviving correspondence between Kenneth Rexroth and James Laughlin, a collection of approximately 350 letters written between 1937 and Rexroth's death in 1982...While many of the letters are reproduced entire, many others are not; in the main, the attempt has been to give as accurate a reflection as possible of the myriad facets and concerns of an important literary friendship. At Mr. Laughlin's request, the focus is on Kenneth Rexroth, with a few of Mr. Laughlin's many letters included to provide greater focus." (from "Notes on the Text," pg. xxv) A collection of letters between Kenneth Rexroth (1905-1982), the great American poet, essayist & translator who was a mentor to the Beat Generation/ San Francisco Renaissance; & James Laughlin (1914-1997), Rexroth's publisher through his New Directions imprint & a beacon of literary & artistic freedom who championed Rexroth & many other innovative writers including Kenneth Patchen. Edited, annotated & with an introduction by Lee Bartlett, an acclaimed scholar whose biography of Beat poet William Everson (a/k/a Brother Antoninus) was published in 1988 by New Directions. Hardcover in unclipped dust jacket, first edition as stated on copyright page, first printing as indicated by number sequence thereon. A most desirable resource for the scholar & collector that provides profound insight into these two towering literary figures. Book in very fine condition with only one thin, short gauge at edge between upper & side edges of text block with resulting tiny bumps at upper corners of effected page leaves; otherwise substantially mint inside & out. Dust jacket very fine with only light rubbing to front, back covers, spine & flaps; light wear & some tiny bumps, creases at thin edges & corners of same. Very Fine / Very Fine. [Item #4393]

Price: $40.00