Orlovsky, Peter (Ginsberg, Allen)

Dear Allen: Ship Will Land Jan 23, 58 (The Beau Fleuve Series Number Five)

Buffalo, NY: Intrepid Press, 1971. First Edition. Stapled Wrappers. Edited by Allen De Loach and published as part of the Beau Fleuve Series, this scarce booklet features the title long poem by Peter Orlovsky, “Dear Allen: Ship Will Land Jan 23, 58.” The powerful literary influence of Allen Ginsberg looms large over the totality of the poem—the rhythm of the work and its diary-like honesty meet with the untrained colloquialism of Orlovsky, resulting in a surprisingly well-executed work. The visionary energy of the young Allen Ginsberg lurks like an invisible force-field surrounding the poem—one can feel the intensity of Allen’s presence and his influence on Peter while reading it. Ostensibly, Orlovsky wrote the poem on the trip back to the United States from Paris, where he had to return from earlier than he would’ve liked in order to tend to the deteriorating mental health of a sibling. The back cover features one of the famous-&-notorious Richard Avedon photographs of the nude Ginsberg & Orlovsky—this particular photograph slightly less revealing than others you may have seen from that historic photo shoot. Book in very fine condition except for a very small red felt-tip pen mark near right-hand corner of front cover besides the title text. Near Fine. [Item #4437]

Price: $60.00