McClure, Michael

Winter Solstice (1972)

San Francisco, CA: Michael McClure, 1972. First Printing. Folded Single Sheet. Signed & Inscribed by Michael McClure. "Saturnalian Tule Fog in the San Joaquin / Big holes made out of light between the clouds / Coyote bushes in bloom are California snow / Fields of cotton caught on dry brown stems / Rooting rabbit nibbles dry brown tamarisk needle from dust / Inside there's country gravy and cream pie alamode / It's a hundred and twenty-three miles to Los Angeles / and two eternities towards a white Mercedes Benz." "Winter Solstice (1972)" is an unusually lucid, Gary Snyder-like poem from Michael McClure (1932-2020), the great Beat Generation/San Francisco Renaissance poet. As astute students of Mid-Century American Music will note, McClure here alludes to the famed Janis Joplin song, "Mercedes Benz," which he wrote the lyrics to. "Winter Solstice (1972)" was printed in an unknown number of copies but remains extremely scarce. To the best of our knowledge, it is not (currently) on offer anywhere else. This copy is made all the rarer by the presence not only of McClure's signature, but a rich inscription on verso. McClure's signature, in thin black fountain pen ink, reads: "Michael McClure." Inscription, in same black fountain pen ink reads, in full: "Frank, / Your (illegible) Kathy was a / great help getting these to us. / Things are busy around here. One / play closed its run and I'm / writing next one. / Best / Michael / Here's a poem written "on the road" -- in 72." While it can't be confirmed, Your Devoted Assistant Curator wonders whether the "Frank" in question is the elusive New York City publisher Frank Hallman (who published McClure's "Man of Moderation" [See TMB Item #4881] three years later, or perhaps even "Freewheelin' Frank Reynolds of Hells Angels fame--Secretary of the San Francisco Hells Angels in the late 1960s and a close personal friend of McClure's. Folded single sheet; the first and only printing of this mysterious & elusive McClure collectible. In very fine condition, virtually as issued with only slightest shelf-wear to fine-edges. Very Fine. [Item #4907]

Price: $175.00