Coleman, Victor

Light Verse

Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Coach House Press, 1969. First Edition. “Life is the reverberation / of a bell rung three times / once at birth / once upon discovering the self / once as death removes it.”-- (“The October Fragments,”.) Offered today is a truly rare and special collectible, the 1969 collection of experimental poetry, Light Verse by Victor Coleman (b. 1944). Coleman is a Canadian poet, and editor who is most recognized as being the major creative force behind the late 20th century boom in Canadian small press publishing. Coleman’s poetry is often seen as wildly experimental, proudly inaccessible, and delightfully sui generis. Light Verse, like many of Coleman’s other works, is an exploration and masterclass in avant-garde, expressionist, surreal, and often short yet incredibly emotionally impactful vignette poetry. Comprised primarily of poems written between the Summer of 1966 to 1968, Light Verse is a compact, beautifully put together collection that is not only visually arresting in how the poetry is presented on the page, but also in how it displays extraordinary full color pictures of wondrous natural landscapes taken by Coleman, and set against his ethereal poetry. For more by Victor Coleman see item #7407, and 7413. From the collection of scholar, poet and our dear friend Robin Eichele (b. 1941), noted Mimeograph Revolutionary & co-founder of the Detroit Artists’ Workshop with the late, great John Sinclair (1941-2024). Softcover in unclipped dust jacket. First & only edition, one of 1000 printed copies as stated at colophon. Book is in very fine condition with minor wear to fine edges and light discoloration due to age; dust jacket is in near fine condition with two moderate tears to front near bottom left corner and near top left corner, and moderate smudging to front and back covers. Very Fine / Near Fine. [Item #7411]

Price: $45.00