Anstee, Rod (Kerouac, Jack)

Jack Kerouac: The Bootleg Era

Sunbury, MA: Water Row Press, 1994. First Revised Edition. Stapled Wrappers. “Jack Kerouac died in Florida during the morning hours of 21 October, 1969. The following day, at a small printing shop around the corner from the Phoenix Book Shop in New York City, 300 copies of a short Kerouac poem entitled “Hymn” (see TMB Item #3674; find it using the “Book ID” section under the “Search Inventory” tab on our Homepage) were hurriedly printed up, carried back to the bookstore, and distributed free to customers as a heartfelt tribute to Kerouac’s memory. Indeed, the printing was done so hastily that the text of the poem was slightly off-center on the page, forcing one of the two folds in the item to be ½” out. Nevertheless, this small token of affection marked the quiet beginning of what might appropriately be called “The Bootleg Era” in the history of Kerouac publishing.” (from Introduction). This surprisingly-handy little bibliography compiled by Kerouac scholar Rod Anstee is an overlooked gem of bibliography, at once thoughtfully-assembled and chronologically sound. We at TMB have many a time consulted this here work, and it has provided invaluable explanations and historical background on a number of highly-collectible oddity-rarities prized by Beat Collectors (more broadly) and (dedicated!) Kerouac collectors/scholars around the world. Anstee’s book will doubtlessly help the discerning Kerouac-&-Beyond collector in the unquenchable quest for rarities, for the pedal-on-the-gas illumination native to Kerouac’s work and spirit. Chapbook in stapled wrappers, the first revised edition. [ISBN: 0-934953-40-6]. Book in very fine condition, substantially as new with only the very slightest shelf-wear to fine-edges. Very Fine. [Item #4682]

Price: $35.00