Various (Stettner, Irving (Editor); Bowles, Paul; Krim, Seymour; Miller, Henry; Mrabet, Mohammed et al.)

Stroker No. 19 (1981)

New York, NY, USA: Stroker, 1981. First Edition. “The aim of life is to live, and to live means to be aware, joyously, drunkenly, serenely, divinely aware.” Henry Miller. “Stroker” was a magazine of literature and arts that ran from 1974 to 1994. It was published from New York – and later from Nagano, Japan – by American artist and author Irving Stettner (1922-2004). Stettner, a friend of Henry Miller’s (1891-1980), lived many years as an ex-pat in France, Morocco, Japan and other countries. With little money, he cultivated a devoted following of readers who were also “Stroker” contributors -- including Henry Miller in the last two years of his life, as well as Paul Bowles (1910-1999), Mohammed Mrabet (b. 1936) and Charles Bukowski (1920-1994), among others. One lesser-known writer from Detroit named Ron Papandrea (b. 1948) became one of Stettner's closest allies, his "Western scout," acting as a collector, archivist, distributor and publisher of Stettner's works. Stettner’s vision for “Stroker” was largely to present an amalgamation of art, literary essays, correspondences, poetry, and a seemingly Walt Whitman (1819-1892)-esque enthusiasm for life and poetry. The topic of today’s curation, “Stroker 19”, was published from New York in 1981. It contains contributions by Irving Stettner, Henry Miller, Mohammed Mrabet (in a translation by Paul Bowles), Seymour Krim (1922-1989) American author and critic, and drawings by cop-killer/outsider artist Tommy Trantino (b. 1938). A piece of particular interest and hilarity in this volume is a letter from Henry Miller to Irving Stettner dated June 6, 1978. In this letter Miller lambasts poetic titan (and one of our patron saints here at Third Mind Books) Allen Ginsberg (1926-1997) meanwhile singing Stettner’s praises, here I’ll quote just a couple passages I found particularly funny. Firstly: “Dear Irv– So glad to know you are dispensing with Greenberg’s [meant to be Ginsberg] piece–because T.T. (Tommy Trantino) did not want him! Bravo! Listen, I read (a few hours ago) that long love poem you designated (in Stroker). Man, that really is formidable! You mention so many names that trigger me off–one especially–Swami Vivekananda. I have the greatest admiration for his writings–and since long, long ago. Was utterly surprised to see you mention him. In any case, that poem is just about everything under the sun. Fabulous. No wonder the French woman called you a real poet–than which there can be no greater compliment in French or any other language.” Secondly, and perhaps most humorously: “You Know, just as I can’t abide your friend Allen Ginsberg so I have no use for Jesus the Christ, Moses, Abraham or the Buddha hisself. (sic) I am probably a Zoroastrian–I believe good and evil are two sides of the same coin. Can’t abide these all-good people!” Whatever the source of the animus between Miller and Ginsberg, this particular curator has no idea, however, it does not stop this literary firing squad from leaving one in hysterics. “Stroker 19” is a volume packed to the gills with hilarity, candor, razor-sharp wit, and critical prowess. Stapled wrappers. First and presumably only edition, though not explicated as such at copyright page. Book is in relatively-very-fine condition with minor wear to fine edges, slight discoloration due to sun-toning, and light rusting at staples. Otherwise substantially mint! Very Fine. [Item #6644]

Price: $50.00