Metcalf, Paul

Genoa

Highlands, NC: Jonathan Williams / The Nantahala Foundation, 1965. First Edition. Hardcover. “City of Indianapolis, a cold spring day, late. Blackberry winter, my father called it—after some warm days, some affluence of sunshine, a sudden crackling blast of cold, rain edged with sleet, low, almost formless clouds scudding across the level land,” writes Paul Metcalf (1917-1999) in this work’s inaugural passage. Metcalf, a mid-century American poet with a small but devoted following, was the great-grandson of the titanically important American novelist, Herman Melville (1819-1891). Here, Metcalf incorporates that legacy in manner both full-voiced, and full-fleshed; his “Hebraic-Melvillian bardic breath” (to steal a phrase from Ginsberg) thrashing about like waves. I’m honestly not sure why “Genoa” isn’t acknowledged as Metcalf’s masterpiece—perhaps it is because Metcalf, himself isn’t widely-acknowledged enough to be thought of as having a masterpiece. Yet a masterpiece this is, — and like all masterpieces, a quality universally associated with them is the fact of being “authoritative”, of emerging from some totally untrammeled realm of personhood. The effect is one like communicating with someone who’s completely and totally themselves. There is an artistic purity about it that’s unmistakable—authenticity flowing through the work in pages something like arteries. If you want to be among “those in the know” with regard to Metcalf — to understand why he’s inspired so much devotion from the likes of Robert Creeley, William Gass, Wendell Barry and more — “Genoa” is the place to start. Designed and handprinted by the legendary Beat-&-Beyond publisher, Andrew Hoyem in San Francisco. Hardcover in unclipped dust-jacket & illustrated boards: First Edition, although not explicated as such on copyright page; First Printing, with no reference to additional printings at same. Book in very fine condition with only mild-to-moderate shelf-wear, bumping to fine-edges & corners of front, back covers & spine & minute-to-light rubbing, else pristine. Dust-jacket in strong near fine condition with only mild-to-moderate shelf-wear, rubbing to fine-edges & corners of front, back covers; some exhibits of light chipping, spotting & similarly mild age-toning throughout, else pristine. Very Fine / Near Fine. [Item #5464]

Price: $60.00