Matson, Clive

Equal In Desire, with: Prospectus

San Francisco, CA: ManRoot Press, 1982. Limited First Edition. Softcover in Sewn Wrappers; Folded Single Sheet. Signed by Clive Matson Three Times, & Additionally Inscribed by Matson to Polly Black. Clive Matson's (b. 1941) 1982 release, "Equal in Desire" heralded a new direction for Matson, a direction that would include a wider consideration of social relations without sacrificing the "direct expression" that Allen Ginsberg praised his poems for exhibiting/embodying. For Matson, this new direction would include a new "...awareness of gender and proto-Feminist concerns." This heightened awareness was just one part of Clive's conceptually-rooted efforts to consider the predicament and positionality of Woman (and the Feminine Spirit) in the late-20th Century--concerns he interrogates, wrestles with, and celebrates throughout "Equal in Desire." An inflection point in Matson's verse, and a key collectible in his impressive & voluminous oeuvre. Stringbound softcover in sewn wrappers, a Lettered First Edition (N/Z, or #14) from the super limited, hand-lettered edition of 26 signed by both Matson and the book's illustrator, Renee June, at colophon. Matson signature at colophon (the first of three Matson signatures described within this listing) in blue, ball-point pen ink reads: "Clive Matson." Illustrator signature at same (in thin, black fountain pen ink), reads: "Renee June." This particular copy of Matson's "Equal in Desire" is made doubly special in its capacity as an Association Copy, as it's dedicated by the poet to Polly Black--the little-known Bay Area legend & mentor to Matson in the art of printing. This second inscription (& accompanying signature) in thin, black pen ink, reads: "For Polly Black with / much (illegible) and appreciation / Clive Matson / September 24, 1982 / Oakland, California." But wait, there's more! We add to this yet another value-giving delight: ephemera! This time around, it means a pristine publisher's prospectus announcing "Equal in Desire" as forthcoming. The prospectus is likewise signed & inscribed by Matson, with both signature and inscription on the pamphlet's leftmost panel (see pictures). The inscription consists of the poet's (then-current) address in Berkeley, California--noted, likely, to alert the intended recipient of this copy (Polly Black?) of his home-base & whereabouts. Signature (and accompanying inscription) in thin, black pen ink, reads: "Clive Matson / 472 44th St. / Oakland CA 94609." From the collection of Erin Black Matson, the artist-poet who, along with her onetime husband, the acclaimed poet & educator Clive Matson, was a member of the Beat Generation as it morphed into the hippie counterculture during the 1960s. The Matsons were protégés & colleagues (in lifestyle as well as literature) of Herbert Huncke, Bonnie & Ray Bremser, Diane di Prima et al. The condition of this copy reflects its long ownership & use by Erin, who was a tried-&-true Beat-Bohemian to the end: in strong near fine condition with only moderate-to-pronounced shelf-wear (light creasing, folding) to uncut wrappers at fine-edges of front, back covers & spine; minor-to-pronounced rubbing & select, scattered nicks-scuffs to same; mild-to-moderate bumps to corners of same; some dust (& faint, cobweb-like remnants) to interior binding/strings at center. Prospectus in very fine condition, virtually as new with only the most minute shelf-wear to fine-edges; a single sheet folded into thirds to form a three-paneled pamphlet as issued by publisher. Near Fine; Very Fine. [Item #4845]

Price: $65.00 save 20% $52.00