Patchen, Kenneth

Love & War Poems

Aberdeen, Scotland: Aberdeen Peoples Press, n/d Circa 1972. First Edition Thus. Stapled Wrappers. "The first thing one would remark on meeting Kenneth Patchen is that he is the living symbol of protest." (from "Patchen: Man of Anger and Light" by Henry Miller, pg. 51) A compilation of poems by Kenneth Patchen (1911-1972), the brilliant American poet, artist & pacifist who was an inspiring influence on the Beat Generation/ San Francisco Renaissance & is still revered with a devoted following today. The two overriding themes of Patchen's poems in this collection are love for his wife Miriam & his abiding hatred of & resistance to war, in Vietnam or for that matter human-societal militarism & dominance in general. The volume is book-ended with essays by Kenneth Rexroth & Henry Miller (quoted above), & also contains an article reprinted from Rolling Stone magazine in tribute to Patchen, shortly after his death in early 1972; reproductions of his drawings & a few photographs. Softcover in stapled wrappers, a sort of authorized antiestablishment bootleg- it is noted on first page that several of Patchen's publishers including James Laughlin's New Directions & Lawrence Ferlinghetti's City Lights imprints agreed to have these poems presented in this edition. There is a subscription-reference to the "Peace News," a London underground-protest "fortnightly paper," opposite contents page (pg. 2). We have seen references to & images of a different UK imprint's edition of this volume published in 1968; the 1972 Rolling Stone material indicates this is an expanded, posthumous version. A rare & appropriately, defiantly contrarian collectible Patchen compilation. In fine condition with mild rubbing, fading & some faint creasing to front, back covers & stapled spine; mild wear & some tiny bumps, creases at thin edges & corners of same; mild rubbing to edges of text block; moderate spotting at upper edge of same. Interior very fine with only small creases, tiny bumps at esp. upper corners of some page leaves. Fine. [Item #4423]

Price: $40.00 save 20% $32.00