Conner, Bruce; McClure, Michael

Untitled (Dot/Circle)

San Francisco, CA: Dave Haselwood, 1966. First Printing. Stapled Wrappers. "THE GOD I WORSHIP IS A LION / and I pray to him for / SPEED / POWER / DETERMINATION / & / COURAGE!" So writes the great, West-Coast literary eminence, Michael McClure (1932-2020) in the (comparatively untitled) "Dot/Circle." This unique 1966 work from McClure was composed, collaboratively alongside Bruce Conner (1933-2008) a West-Coast Pop artist strongly affiliated with the Beat Generation in California. Those familiar with Conner's life and work typically come to him via associations with other (usually LA or SF-based) artists from those worlds. This includes his oft-unsung founding (in 1959) of the Rat Bastard Protective Association—a group which counted a mind-boggling array of luminaries among their ranks. This group included the likes of Jay Defeo, Wallace Berman, Jess Collins, and George Herms among several halo-capped others. We at TMB would be remiss not to add that there is definitely a future project / "side-quest" here for Beat Scholars. The end to which we'd suggest the direction of one's efforts into codifying Conner's impact on the manuscript (read: is it "just the illustrations," or is it more?). We'd further suggest juxtaposing the philosophical worlds of each—the "invisible mentors" (artistic, literary, & philosophical influences unmet or dead) beside their thriving social worlds, and the ideas which perfumed them. If you like McClure's poetry -- even faintly -- you'll immediately recognize the work itself as an uncovered gem of his oeuvre. Lastly, if you're into the "spiritually-buoyant" in art, you'll dig Connor—seeing in both the work and life a man who made fearlessness and fortitude his lodestones. Square large-format (10 x 10 in.) saddle-stitched softcover original in wraps: one of 1200 copies, per the established bibliographies (Johnston, p. 82). From the collection of scholar, poet and our dear friend Robin Eichele (b. 1941), noted Mimeograph Revolutionary & co-founder of the Detroit Artists’ Workshop with the late, great John Sinclair (1941-2024). Eichele's ownership inscription, at lower right-hand corner of title page in thin, black pen ink, reads: "Eichele." In strong near fine condition with only slight-to-moderate shelf-wear, rubbing & bumping to fine-edges & corners of front, back covers & spine-edge; a few scattered nicks & scuffs to same, else pristine. Near Fine. [Item #6490]

Price: $200.00