Eshleman, Clayton

Indiana

Los Angeles, CA: Black Sparrow Press, 1969. First Limited Softcover Edition. Softcover. "The struggle of clothes up the wash-board./ The slow web of no money but sunlight./ Sunlight. Hard at the sungate, in it, o-/ ver her hands// he stands/ like the light/ that moves/ her// yet he stands/ behind her/ slightly to the left/ forever" ("Sungate," first three stanzas, pg. 29) A collection of poems by Clayton Eshleman (1935-2021), the award-winning American poet, editor, translator & academician who was our dear friend & mentor in nearby Ypsilanti, Michigan where he lived, taught, wrote & published for many years to the end of his life. With many & varied poems composed during 1963-1968 (the above-quoted poem is undated, included in the first "1963-1965" section). Trade-format softcover, one of 1000 copies printed in an edition that also includes 250 signed & numbered; 26 lettered & numbered hardcover copies per colophon. An early, exemplary production of the venerable Black Sparrow Press. From the collection of the late Erin Black Matson, the artist & poet who along with her then-husband, the acclaimed poet-educator Clive Matson, was a member of the Beat Generation-morphing into the hippie counterculture in NYC during the 1960s. The Matsons were friends & protege-collaborators in a circle that included Herbert Huncke, Bonnie Bremser et al. The condition of this item (see below) befits its inclusion in the library of a Bona Fide Beat who appears to have remained true to (never recovered from?) those heady days. A collectible, serviceable "reading copy" of an early Eshleman classic with relevant provenance. In relatively good condition with mild-to-moderate rubbing, browning & light (coffee?!) spot-staining to front, back covers & spine; moderate wear to edges & corners of same incl. tiny bumps, creases & small areas of paper loss (likely from nibbling by Erin's cats or other small creatures) at thin edges & corners of same esp. lower edge of front cover, upper left corner-edge of back cover (latter includes a very groovy late-1960s portrait of our late prodigious friend the poet); mild-to-moderate rubbing, browning, spotting & small, light staining to edges of text block. Interior very fine with only small, faint creases & tiny bumps at corners of some page leaves. Good. [Item #4644]

Price: $20.00 save 20% $16.00