Sinclair, John (Jania, Karen L. (Editor) et al.)

John Sinclair and the Culture of the Sixties

Ann Arbor, MI: Bentley Historical Library, 2004. First Edition. Staplebound. “The period of the sixties has become an era in American History of almost legendary proportions. So much on the political and cultural landscape of the country changed at that time. As the memories of those of us who lived through those turbulent times, the archival record becomes of critical importance. The Bentley Historical Library is privileged to house one of the most important archival collections relating to this period. Collected by John and Leni Sinclair, the Sinclair collection contains not only the personal papers of the Sinclairs, but also a treasure trove of related material documenting the culture of that time.” (from foreword by Francis X. Blouin Jr., Director of the Bentley Historical Library) At the height of the sixties, John (1941-2024) and Leni (b. 1940) Sinclair were leaders of the counterculture movement in Michigan, organizers of radical social, political, and cultural endeavors primarily in the areas of music, poetry, graphic design, and community welfare projects. This booklet was a project between the Book Beat in Oak Park, MI, and Bentley Library published for the 40th anniversary of the Detroit Artists’ Workshop. Edited by Karen Jania and with an essay by Cary Loren, the booklet includes a brief summary of John Sinclair’s life and work, the first Workshop manifesto, and an introduction to the Bentley Library’s Sinclair Archive. Printed in an edition of 1500 copies, according to the Book Beat’s website, “select copies of this bulletin include a CD,” according to the back flap. This 70-minute CD includes 20 cuts of Workshop poets reading their work, including Sinclair himself, Robin Eichele, his Detroit Artists’ Workshop co-founder, Robert Creeley, James Semark, Ron Caplan, George Tysh, Dave Sinclair, Hank Malone, Gary Johnston, and Bill Harris. This copy is from the collection of Robin Eichele (b. 1941), noted Mimeograph Revolutionary, co-founder of the Detroit Artists’ Workshop with the late, great John Sinclair, and our nearby good friend from whom we acquired this & many other outstanding collectibles. Chapbook Pamphlet in stapled wrappers with CD: First-&-Only Edition. Book is in Fine condition with minor-to-moderate bumping to the fine edges and corners of front, back covers & spine; back cover shows minor indentation from CD inside back covers; very minor scratching to front, back covers. Fine. [Item #6290]

Price: $40.00