Dorn, Edward; Rumaker, Michael; Tallman, Warren

Prose 1 (Writing 2)

San Francisco, CA: Four Seasons Foundation, 1964. First Printing. Stapled Wrappers. Collectors and students of Mid-Century American Literature will be familiar with Don Allen (1912-2004) by name, at the very least: for Allen's momentous, prescient editing of the Grove Press anthology, "The New American Poetry, 1945-1960" ) — (published in late May, 1960) — altered the literary landscape in this country. For the first time, the vocationally-linked though uniquely individuated "literary efforts" of authors in five critically-recognized "categories." These categories — the so-called "New York School"; the "Black Mountain School"; the "San Francisco Renaissance," and "the Beats" [notice Allen's intriguing separation of the third and fourth categories] — while disputed, still carry weight & critical value, today. On the strength of these efforts and the reputation they built him, Allen continued his involvement in publishing; and doubled down on his editorial committments. His “Four Seasons Foundation” (1964-1985) then is best viewed in this expressly curatorial light; and this contention finds itself supported by Allen’s assertion that he “was collecting the ‘third generation’ of writers in the Modernist tradition. This idea, while irascibly bold and unthinkable to the literary establishment that contemporaneously spurned them, was quite obviously prophetic — and this aspect (Allen’s ‘literary-critical courage,’ if you will) — is what earns Allen a spot besides the great Modernist editors-&-critics of the 20th century. As one might imagine, then, Allen-edited productions should be taken seriously from the outset. This, because one is not reading the “favorite poems” of some unfocused admirer, but reading a curated sequence of literature arranged by a master: by one of the most perceptive anthologists-&-editors of 20th century Modernism, writ large. The “Writing” series, initiated by Allen’s FSF during its inaugural year (1964), came to life in the form of appetizing small-format chapbooks like these: judiciously-edited “samplers” featuring the work of one or more authors Allen’s FSF sought to spotlight. This early number in the series — “Writing 2” — marked the first of these pamphlets dedicated exclusively to prose. Notably, it features the Beat-&-Black Mountain -affiliated author, Ed Dorn — whose elusive and masterful long poem, “The Gunslinger” (Los Angeles, CA: Black Sparrow Press, 1968)(See our item no. 5822) decisively inspired Stephen King (aiding the latter’s development considerably). Even more notably, however, is the way in which the book structures its offerings: it doesn’t merely compile three works of prose (or prose fiction) from its trinity of authors. No, — instead, it editorially nests three works of short-from literary criticism (three book reviews, in this case; one authored by each) after the ‘works of Literature’ contributed. This is notable because it suggests what we suggested from the outset: these are not just authors, these are authors whose critical opinions are well-founded; these opinions have not only decisively formed them, but have decisively altered the American literary landscape of the 20th century. This is what Allen’s inclusion of the reviews speaks to, — a further enunciation that these mid-century innovators both were (and are) “here to stay” — effectually “canonized” at long last. Contents, in full, include: [1] “Michael Rumaker, ‘The Bar’; [2] Edward Dorn, ‘The Camp’; [3] Warren Tallman, Robert Creeley’s The Island [4] Edward Dorn: Leroi Jones’ Blues People; [5] Michael Rumaker, “Scott Fitzgerald’s Letters.” Chapbook in stapled wrappers: the first & likely only printing of FSF's "Prose 1 (Writing 2)." From the collection of Robin Eichele (b. 1941), noted Mimeograph Revolutionary & co-founder (with John Sinclair) of the Detroit Artists’ Workshop. In strong near fine condition with only slight-to-moderate shelf-wear, age-toning, rubbing & bumping to fine-edges & corners of front, back covers & spine-edge; a few scattered nicks & scuffs to same; some moderate-to-enunciated rusting & bleeding to staples at exterior & interior, otherwise clean. Near Fine. [Item #6751]

Price: $30.00