Various (Vranich, Michael (Editor); Waldrop, Keith et al.)

The Free Poems Among Friends

Detroit, MI: Michael Vranich, 1969. First Printing. Stapled Wrappers. In June 1969, Thomas Vranich — a Detroit-based poet, editor and contributor to the post- Detroit Artists’ Workshop, “small press scene” in the Motor City — released his own version of “Free Poems Among Friends.” What do we mean by “his own version,” you ask? Well, “Free Poems Among Friends” was an informally issued “series” cardinally printed (& published) by John Sinclair & Robin Eichele’s Detroit Artists’ Workshop. The earliest examples from the series date back to approximately November and December, 1964. All subsequently printed “editions” of FPAF (“Free Poems Among Friends”) were printed after January, 1965. The DAW itself stopped formally adding to the series sometime in 1966, but the ethos of the series was quickly picked-up-&-passed on — outliving, even Sinclair & Co.’s own culture-&-community-building efforts in the city of Detroit. Vranich’s FPAF differs in a few major ways from the Workshop’s: namely, it’s essentially “only a literary journal.” There’s nothing wrong with that, of course — but it’s very different than the sort of visionary, world-building aspirations associated with the FPAF series at its inception, and the efforts of the Workshop, broadly conceived. The gems of this issue are brought to us by the only listed contributor that We at TMB were familiar with prior to encountering this committed small press curio. Namely, that of letterpress legend, Keith Waldrop (1932-2023). While un-tabulated, the magazine’s obscure contributors and content appears in the following [somewhat abbreviated] order: [1] Four poems by Archie Anderson; [2] the Ed Sanders-influenced “Shit Manifesto,” by FPAF’s editor, Michael Vranich; [3] three additional poems by the aforementioned Vranich; [4] two poems (“notification” & “The Antichrist”) by letterpress legend, Keith Waldrop (1932-2023); [5] two poems by Jim Krepps; [6] five poems by Michael Mathis; [7] three poems by Robert Serling; [8] two poems by Garth Fagan; [9] two poems by Walter Hall; [10] two additional poems by the aforementioned Jim Krepps; [11] two more poems by Garth Fagan; [12] two poems (“Meditation with Interruptions” & “Long Hair is Best”) by the noted American poet, academician, & editor, Thomas Fitzsimmons (1926-2017); [13] two additional poems by the aforementioned Walter Hall; [14] and a final poem (“Depression”) by the aforementioned legend of small press publishing, Keith Waldrop. All in all, this periodical would make a great addition to collections-&-libraries focused on intensely local literary efforts in the American Midwest, esp. those taking place in the immediate wake of police state efforts to silence John Sinclair — (through harassment, arrest, and imprisonment) — and also the context brought about by the death of Sinclair’s countercultural counterpart over Cleveland, OH, the deathless d.a.levy (1942-1968). From the collection of Thomas Fitzsimmons (1926-2017), a noted American poet, academician & editor, which we have been honored to obtain from his son, Ian Fitzsimmons. Small-format chapbook in stapled wrappers: the First-&-only Printing of the June, 1969 issue of this (post-Detroit Artists’ Workshop) small press publication. In fine condition with only mild-to-moderate shelf-wear, light-to-moderate bumping, & select, mutely-enunciated exhibits of microscopic creasing to fine-edges & corners of front, back covers & spine-edge; lastly, some light rusting to staples at exterior & interior & related mutely-voiced exhibits of age-toning throughout — otherwise impressively clean. Near Fine. [Item #6892]

Price: $25.00