Duncan, Robert

The Sweetness and Greatness of Dante's Divine Comedy

San Francisco, CA: Open Space, 1965. Limited Edition. Stapled Wrappers. “Dante undertook to make Italian the vehicle of his highest thought and in so doing forged the soul of a people. But we, who are not Italian nor who have any fluency of that tongue, meet here tonight to do him honor which is also dues or duty, for Dante undertook at the same time to make Poetry the vehicle of man’s highest thought, and in so doing he forged the very soul of man and of Poetry anew.” (from first page, unpaginated) Presented here is The Sweetness and Greatness of Dante’s Divine Comedy from Robert Duncan (1919-1988), one of the foremost American poets of the Beat Generation, Black Mountain School, San Francisco Renaissance & beyond. This chapbook accompanied the lecture given by Duncan on October 27th at the Dominican College of San Rafael celebrating and honoring seven hundred years since Dante Aligheiri’s (1265-1321) birth. Duncan is erudite in his observation and analysis of Dante, making this an exemplary & important collectible in the Duncan canon that ties the genius of one poet (Duncan) to another (Dante). From the collection of scholar, poet and our dear friend Robin Eichele (b. 1941), noted Mimeograph Revolutionary & co-founder (with the late, great John Sinclair [1941-2024]) of the Detroit Artists’ Workshop. Large Chapbook in stapled wrappers: “Edition of 500 copies published December, 1965.” as stated at colophon. Bertholf A17(a), pg. 69. In near fine condition with moderate toning around edges of wrappers; mild brown staining at bottom edge & near spine of front wrapper; mild to moderate rubbing on front and back wrappers; minor ink markings/spotting on back wrapper; minor foxing along bottom edge & upper left corner of back wrapper. Interior very good with some foxing on inner wrapper, title page, and copyright page; and marginalia (underlining & checkmarks) in blue ink pp. 5, 10-14. Altogether near fine. Near Fine. [Item #6827]

Price: $55.00 save 15% $46.75