Franks, David

Touch (True First Edition)

Baltimore, Maryland: Red Wheel Barrow Press, 1965. First Edition. Stapled Wrappers. Inscribed by David Franks to Robin Eichele. “There is no simple way to say anything—unless by that accident which is feeling, one is given, literally, the words in their own terms. What it all means is insistently more than any one sense of what is insistently more than any one sense of what it will offer. Again and again it will happen, and in that demand its own occasion. David Franks has equally no alternative. There is no other way to say it. A long time ago Yeats said, ‘In dreams begin responsibilities.’ This one is adamant” (from “A NOTE FOR THESE POEMS…” by Robert Creeley [1926-2005]. Offered here is the debut work of poems by David Franks (1949?-?), a curiously talented, little-known poet initially from Pontiac, MI. There are references to another David Franks — who is also a poet, and apparently knew people like the Romanian-American, post-Beat Surrealist, Andrei Codrescu (b. 1946), who would have been friends with John Sinclair (1941-2024) and Robin Eichele (b. 1941) — but that David Franks’ birth year is given as 1950 by all who write about him. That David Franks died at the age of 61 in 2010 — placing the birth year at 1949 and rendering the date given on the back of this book a fabrication. This is possible, of course — perhaps Franks wanted to lie about his age so they wouldn’t think his poems were that of a teenager — but then again, maybe they were (factually speaking, anyways). We’ll continue our research on this, and alter this curation — (& any others) citing Franks’ age) — once said bibliographical riddle is solved. What’s clear, however is that Franks was very much a part of the Mimeograph-Revolutionary scene: having inscribed this copy to Eichele, himself; and in a work introduced by Robert Creeley (1926-2005), no less! This, because Eichele and Sinclair, in particular were enamored with the poetics developed by Creeley (in collaboration, of course, with Charles Olson [1910-1970]). A charming association copy, ripe with literary-historical import. From the collection of Robin Eichele (b. 1941), noted Mimeograph Revolutionary & co-founder (with John Sinclair) of the Detroit Artists’ Workshop. Softcover in stapled wrappers: the “True” First Edition of the original work bearing that name: an enormously confusing bibliographical fact, because his second book — (which was published by Duende the following year) — was a completely different book but bore the same title. This copy is also signed by Franks to his fellow Mimeograph Revolutionary, Eichele. Franks’ signature, in thin, black, felt pen ink, reads: “To Robin — / I’ll see you some / time I’m sure, meanwhile / take good care of / yourself & please / keep in touch, like — / with all love & care / David.” On the left-facing page to this one, Franks has written (with the same pen) his mailing address (consult photos attached to this listing). In near fine condition with only modest shelf-wear to fine-edges & corners, light bumping & some near-microscopic exhibits of bump-creasing to fine-edges & corners of front, back covers & spine-edge; light rubbing to same, and contained, light rusting to staples at interior & exterior alike, otherwise clean. Near Fine. [Item #7029]

Price: $35.00