Levine, Philip

Broadside: "At Bessemer"

n/p: Alfred A. Knopf, n/d. First Edition. Board-Mounted. Signed by Philip Levine. “19 years old and going nowhere, / I got a ride to Bessemer and walked / the night road toward Birmingham / passing dark groups of men cursing / the end of a week like every week.” Detroit-born Philip Levine (1928-2015) began writing poetry while attending Wayne State University, and his jobs in the automotive industry instilled in him a better understanding of the industrial monster along with a profound skepticism of the American dream. Levine’s best-known poetry deals with working-class themes in an industrial setting, frequently the Detroit of his upbringing, with stylistic influence from Walt Whitman and William Carlos Williams. Breaking with traditional forms and infusing intense emotions were characteristic of the new romanticism of the 1950s and 1960s. Levine published 17 collections of poetry during his life, and he served as Poet Laureate of the United States from 2011–2012. The poem displayed on this broadside was originally included in A Walk With Tom Jefferson in 1988. Single sheet, mounted to stiff board (appx. 16” x 20”): presumed first edition, first printing, though neither could be confirmed in our research. Broadside is in fine condition with minor dimpling to recto; minor bumping to edges. Levine’s signature is found below his photo and printed name in thin, black ink. This item must be shipped flat therefore an extra handling fee of $5.00 will be required. Fine. [Item #6713]

Price: $85.00