Ginsberg, Allen

The Gates of Wrath

Bolinas, CA: Grey Fox Press, 1972. First Trade Softcover Edition, Third Printing. Softcover. Signed by Allen Ginsberg. “Dear Doctor: in spite of the grey secrecy of time and my own self-shuttering doubts in these youthful rainy days, I would like to make my presence in Paterson known to you, and I hope you will welcome this from me, an unknown young poet, to you, an unknown old poet, who live in the same rusty county of the world”(Allen Ginsberg, “A Prefatory Letter” [to William Carlos Williams], March 1949). So reads the opening portion of the great Beat poet, Allen Ginsberg’s (1926-1997) letter of March 1949 to the great American Modernist poet, William Carlos Williams (1883-1963). Williams and Ginsberg were of course fellow Patersonians (i.e., were both from Paterson, New Jersey) and the elder Williams took an interest in the young Allen, who at the time was very caught up in writing rhymed quatrains of metaphysical import that echoed those penned by William Blake (1757-1827). For an unparalleled look into Ginsberg’s mental state at this time, we recommend Friend of the Store, Dr. Stevan Weine’s book Best Minds: How Allen Ginsberg Made Revolutionary Poetry from Madness which is sort of a companion volume to that offered here. This is because it details exactly what sort of development, mentally (and with reference to psychiatric treatment), Ginsberg was undergoing at that time. While the poems in this volume don’t approach the greatness he would later attain — or, as Williams himself said, “In this mode, perfection is basic,” — they are nevertheless extremely important to the Beat story and a key to understanding Allen’s poetic development & the Beats’ larger literary arc. First Trade Softcover Edition: "Third Printing," per copyright page. Morgan, a1.3, pg. 39. This copy is additionally inscribed & signed by Allen Ginsberg at title page. Ginsberg inscription & signature, in thin, black, fountain pen ink, reads: "Allen Ginsberg / 1/28/85 Chicago / for Henry Behrens." In strong near fine condition with minor shelf-wear, age toning & some light bumping to fine-edges & corners of front, back covers & spine-edge; a few generally isolated patches of mild-to-moderate rubbing to front, back covers, & some slight, scattered scuffing & low-visibility nicks to same, otherwise clean. Near Fine. [Item #7159]

Price: $100.00