Cassady, Carolyn (Cassady, Neal)

Neal in San Quentin

Coventry, England: Beat Scene Press, 1990. Book. Stapled Wrappers. "There was something about Neal when he wasn't taking dope that was absolutely angelic. I could easily recognize him out of all those sixty faces. And, sure enough, when the talk was over, he shouldered his way down, you know, with that impetuosity of his, and said, "Mr. Arthur, you read my name as Neal Cassady but you might know me better as Dean Moriarty." "Oh, yes," I said, "your friend, Gary Snyder, told me you'd be the first to sign up for this class." "I was, I was!" He was so enthusiastic, like a jack-in-the-box, so delighted that Gary would know that. Really, his enthusiasm was just- just breathtaking. I loved him the moment I saw him." (Quote of Gavin Arthur, unpaginated) A fascinating, indeed delightful anecdotal narrative by Carolyn Cassady (1923-2013), the long-suffering wife of Neal Cassady (1926-1968), the most legendary muse of the Beat Generation, "...brakeman, fastestmanalive, the GO man, hell driver with the pranksters, a real figure in the modern American literary landscape." (back cover) While Neal was in San Quentin Prison, he took a course in Comparative Religion from Gavin Arthur (1901-1972), the noted educator, astrologist & sexologist who was the grandson of U.S. President Chester A. Arthur. Carolyn's narrative mostly relates to this stranger-than-fiction episode, with extensive quotes from Neal & Arthur. Chapbook in stapled wrappers, one of 200 un-numbered copies printed in 1990 by Beat Scene Press, the imprint of Kevin Ring, publisher of the indispensable Beat Scene magazine & other special productions (many available here), & our good friend in the UK. This is one of the earliest & rarest BSP limited chapbooks. An outstanding BSP Cassady-related collectible in very fine condition with only a touch of rubbing, browning & very occasional spotting to front, back covers & spine; a few tiny bumps, creases at edges & corners of same. Interior very fine with only very faint creases at/near upper corners of blank grey endpapers, otherwise substantially mint. Very Fine. [Item #5248]

Price: $50.00