Ferlinghetti, Lawrence

Poetry as Insurgent Art

New York, NY: New Directions, 2007. First Edition. Hardcover. Signed by Lawrence Ferlinghetti. “If you would be a poet, write living newspapers. Be a reporter from outer space, filing dispatches to some supreme managing editor who believes in full disclosure and has a low tolerance for bullshit” (pg. 4). “I am signaling you through the flames,” Lawrence Ferlinghetti (1919-2021) writes in the opening line of “Poetry as Insurgent Art,” an instructional masterwork that should be read by poets everywhere. In the not-so-humble-opinion of Your Devoted Managing Curator, this work ranks besides Jack Kerouac’s “Essentials for Spontaneous Prose,” the “Belief & Technique for Modern Prose,” and Allen Ginsberg’s 1965 Paris Review Interview as THE “compositional keys” to understanding the literary mind of the Beat Generation (excepting, of course, the great William S. Burroughs—who, if you seek to understand, well…that’s a separate conversation, entirely). [978-0-8112-1719-4]. From the collection of Kevin Ring, publisher of Beat Scene magazine & other indispensable productions (many available here), & our good friend. Hardcover in illustrated boards: the very First Edition of Ferlinghetti’s “Ars Poetica,” with no reference to preceding editions (or later printings) at copyright page. This copy is additionally signed by the totemic American poet at half-title page. Ferlinghetti signature, in black felt pen ink, reads: “Ferlinghetti!” Book in very fine condition, virtually as new with only previous bookseller’s price sticker at lower right-hand corner of back cover with slight rubbing thereon (see photos), else pristine. Very Fine. [Item #5136]

Price: $100.00