Olson, Charles

A Bibliography on America for Ed Dorn

San Francisco, CA: Four Seasons Foundation, 1964. First Edition. Stapled Wrappers. Here it is: the nutritive, condemnatory, and surprisingly accessible "A Bibliography on America for Ed Dorn," authored by the great Charles Olson (1910-1970), Literature's Wellesian Maximus. A "legacy text" for both converted Olsonians and scholars of Modernist poetics, the work finds its origins in a lecture (delivered by Olson in 1955) at Black Mountain College in rural North Carolina. Dorn asked Olson for assistance on what would eventually become “Gunslinger,” Olson compiled a list of work for Dorn — a poet most closely associated with Black Mountain and the “Projective Verse” tradition of Olson — and blended it with actual poetry, creating sui generis minor masterwork in the process. If you are curious about the legend of Literature’s Wellesian Maximus, this is a great place to start. 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 signature, in top right-hand corner of title page in thin, black pen ink, reads: "Robin Eichele." It also features corrective marginalia presumably by Eichele as well, which is very interesting in its own right & charming for collector-scholars. Chapbook in stapled wrappers: the true first printing of 1964 of this classic Olson text. In strong near fine-condition with only moderate-to-enunciated shelf-wear, bumping & some tiny exhibits of bump-creasing to fine-edges & corners of recto & verso sides; age-toning, yellowing & other mild exhibits of same present variously throughout, otherwise clean. Near Fine. [Item #6604]

Price: $40.00