Various (Stettner, Irving (Editor); Bowles, Paul; Miller, Henry; Mrabet, Mohammed; Trantino, Tommy et al.)

Stroker No. 29 (Tommy Trantino Issue, 1984)

New York, NY: Stroker, 1984. First Printing. Stapled Wrappers. “Dear Irv — Got your lovely water color yesterday. […] Did I tell you my son quit work as my general manager and now has also refused to be an executor of my estate when I die? Gave me a little upset at first — but I made three jolly watercolors anyway. Your latest is a dance, une danse joyeuse, avec les choses mysterieuses comme toujours. You know, I often stand in front of your paintings and try to figure out how you did them. They baffle me, especially the wash backgrounds—like snow melting in dazzling sunshine, rain drops, cups of dew, undefinable butterflies (papillons) etc. etc. No end to it. Truly and forever poetic. Je te salue! You have improved my own style, I feel. I try sometimes to paint like you. […] That’s it for today, Irv. […] Cheers now! / Henry” (Henry Miller [1891-1980], pg. 48). This number of the literary-art-cultural journal edited by NYC St. Marks Place underground denizen Irving Stettner (1922-2004) features (as does almost every issue in this series) a contribution by Henry Miller, the great American author & artist whose earlier works were an influence & inspiration to the Beat Generation (“Four Letters,” pp. 45-48). Also in this issue are contributions by Stroker’s founding editor, Irving Stettner (“Love Song for Christina S.”); a thirty-one page feature dedicated to convicted murderer, Tommy Trantino (b. 1938); & the usual complement of work (letters or references mostly) by, about, or regarding Mohammad Mrabet (b. 1936), the famed Moroccan artist, author & storyteller affiliated with Paul Bowles (his primary translator in the Beat/American-literary contexts concerned with, here). View photograph of contents page (attached to this listing) to browse the table of contents in full. Literary journal in stapled wrappers: the first-&-only printing of Issue No. 29 of Stettner's vibrant "Stroker." (S&J, C689, pg. 829) In strong Very Good condition with minute-to-moderate shelf-wear, light-to-enunciated exhibits of bumping & bump-creasing to fine-edges & corners of front, back covers & spine-edge; moderate-to-enunciated age-toning (spotting, yellowing) to same, otherwise clean. Very Good. [Item #7107]

Price: $50.00