Orlovsky, Peter (Ginsberg, Allen)

Dear Allen: Ship Will Land Jan 23, 58

Buffalo, NY: Intrepid Press, 1971. Limited First Edition. Stapled Wrappers. Signed by Allen Ginsberg & Peter Orlovsky. This scarce booklet-chapbook, edited by Allen De Loach & published as the fifth number in The Beau Fleuve Series of his legendary Intrepid Press, features the title long poem by Peter Orlovsky, the life-long companion of Allen Ginsberg, Founding Father of the Beat Generation. The powerful literary influence of 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 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 have liked in order to tend to the deteriorating mental health of his brother, Lafcadio. The back cover features one of the famous-&-notorious Richard Avedon photographs of the nude Ginsberg & Orlovsky- this particular image is somewhat less, ah, revealing than others you may have seen from that historic photo shoot. Chapbook-format booklet in stapled wrappers, one of an edition of 1000 copies of which 100 were signed & numbered by Orlovsky. Although this copy is from the limited trade edition of 900, both Ginsberg & Orlovsky have hand-written their signatures on the title page- Ginsberg with small script in bold black ink below "Allen:," Orlovsky below his printed name with larger script in thinner black ink. From the collection of Kevin Ring, publisher of Beat Scene magazine & other indispensable productions (many available here), & our good friend. An exceptionally rare & significant collectible with both Ginsberg's & Orlovsky's signatures, as well as distinguished provenance. In very fine condition with only a hint of rubbing & short, faint scratching to front, back covers & stapled spine; a few tiny bumps at edges & corners of same; staples in process of rusting with minimal interior bleeding. Interior very fine with only tiny bumps at corners of some page leaves; miniscule rust-bleeding noted above. Very Fine. [Item #5098]

Price: $200.00 save 20% $160.00