Various (Ferlinghetti, Lawrence; Hall, James B. (Editor); Everson, William; Clark, Tom; Duncan, Robert; Hirschman, Jack; Levertov, Denise; Shapiro, Karl; Wakoski, Diane et al.)

Perspectives on William Everson with: Ephemera

ISBN: 0912950684
Grants Pass, OR: Castle Peak Editions, 1992. First Edition. Softcover. Signed and dated by Lawrence Ferlinghetti. “The original plan for this collection of essays and creative work dates back about ten years, to plans for a Festschrift to mark the poet’s seventieth birthday. Wayne Holder was the initiating editor. In the usual way contributions were requested; precisely on what basis is not now known. Whereupon–by indirections, revolutionary times, and California’s headlong industrialization–the project dozed off at the mouth of its cave, retreated at the fall equinox to hibernation, survived unseasonably deep literary snows. As Elliot so well put it, “...a long journey: the ways deep and the weather sharp.” Nevertheless a great deal of work was done by several people during this book’s first trimester, and heartfelt thanks are due and hereby accorded Wayne Holder of San Francisco. Mr. Holder’s own interview with Everson, initially intended for inclusion in Perspectives, will instead find publication in a forthcoming collected interviews volume.”--Editors, “Preface,” Perspectives on William Everson. William Everson, a.k.a. Brother Atoninus (1912-1994), was a poet, critic, and globally renowned handset printer. During the Depression, Everson attended Fresno State University but dropped out to become a poet after discovering the poetry of Robinson Jeffers (1887-1962). “It was an intellectual awakening and a religious conversion in one … Jeffers showed me God,” Everson once noted. His early work focused on farming, the change of seasons, and a theme that would endure throughout his entire writing career, his love of the California landscape. Collections such as, These Are the Ravens, San Joaquin, and The Masculine Dead brought him enthusiastic—though not widespread—acclaim, along with the classification of nature poet. In the 1950s Everson came to national attention when he was associated with the Beat Generation and was widely read, his works proliferating throughout the scene. Perspectives on William Everson (1992) is a collection of critical essays and scholarly commentary on the work of Everson from a wide variety of writers. Edited by James B. Hall (1918-2008), poet, novelist, writer, and founder of the Creative Writing program at The University of Oregon; Bill Hotchkiss (1936-2010), novelist, poet, and editor of the Beat Generation; and Judith Shears, Perspectives on William Everson is a work that includes essays, poems and reminiscences by friends, scholars, and fellow poets, including James Broughton (1913-1999), Denise Levertov (1923-1997), Karl Shapiro (1913-2000), Diane Wakoski (b. 1937) et al. A wonderfully insightful and seamlessly put together collection dedicated to an incredible poet and titanic literary figure. From the library of the late, great Lawrence Ferlinghetti (1919-2021), poet & founder of City Lights Books, publisher of many of the Beat Generation writers. Signed & dated on first paste-down page in thin black ink by Ferlinghetti: “Ferlinghetti 8/93.” We have found and retained between pages 166 & 167 a postcard/promotional card for “The Byzantine Catholic Russian Center.” Softcover quarto glossy white perfect-bound paperwraps printed in blue. First edition though not explicated as such at copyright page, “First printing: September 1992” as stated thereon. In near fine condition with moderate wear to fine edges, moderate staining, smudging and markings to front and back covers, some pieces of tape affixed to front cover, and slight discoloration due to age. Near Fine. [Item #7744]

Price: $100.00