Mosher, Pamela; Meltzer, David

Original Photograph: David Meltzer at Proposition 15 Rally-Reading (1976)

San Francisco, CA: Pamela Mosher, 1976. Original Photograph. Single Sheet. Hand-titled, signed & dated by photographer Pamela Mosher. An original photographic print (measuring appx. 7&6/8" x 9&6/8" incl. margin) featuring David Meltzer (1937-2016) at the Proposition 15 Rally-Reading. As Thomas Rain Crowe (b. 1949), the co-authorial founder of the Second San Francisco Renaissance notes in the Thomas Rain Crowe Archive catalog, “[The Proposition 15 Rally-Reading] was to draw attention to the fact that the state of California didn’t have sufficient nuclear safeguards for the plants that were already online and any that would be built in the future. So, it was primarily about the government adopting bills that would create definitive safety regulations for the whole industry in the state of California. This was a major issue for those of us who were already thinking bioregionally and along the lines of sustainability–and everyone we asked to join in and be part of this event was only too willing to add their voice to the whole. Even Gary Snyder and Philip Whalen, who couldn’t make it to the event due to prior commitments, sent us written statements for someone to read during the event. It was held in Union Square Park in the epicenter of the business district of San Francisco and was staged right at the lunch hour when businesspeople would be out and about on lunch break and would wander into the park and be confronted by the speakers and the issues they were supporting. It was a huge success, as it was as much a literary event (with the huge list of headliners) as it was an activist event. So, many people strolling into the park and unaware of what was happening stayed on through their lunch hours to hear some of the premier poets from the Beat Generation as well as some of their younger proteges” (Thomas Rain Crowe, Thomas Rain Crowe Archive, p. 67). From the left side of lower recto margin below image, Mosher has hand-written in cursive bold black ink: "Proposition 15 Reading – David Meltzer," & at right side: "(signed) P. Mosher '76." On verso of this item is one identifying inscription (at top right-hand corner) in thin, black pen ink which identifies the location of the Prop 15 Rally-Reading. It reads, “Union Sq. Park” in Thomas Rain Crowe’s hand. From the archive of Thomas Rain Crowe (b. 1949), the acclaimed American poet who was at the center of the Baby Beat Generation/ San Francisco Renaissance during the 1970s. The TRC archive was acquired, assembled & curated by Third Mind Books as a single item (see our item No. 1010), & its vast number of individual pieces are now being offered incrementally throughout this new year of 2025. The TRC archive collectively represents the entire legacy of the BBG/SSFR, & its critical collaborations-mentorships by the key figures of the original Beat Generation/ San Francisco Renaissance. See also Starting From San Francisco (item No. 3071), published by TMB, to obtain a thorough understanding of this important literary phenomenon from TRC himself. Given the history and context, this photograph — like so many related items from the SSFR that We at TMB are currently offering (especially the posters and photographs!) is a consummate Renaissance rarity. In relatively fine-to-very-fine condition with only the slightest rubbing & faint scratching to glossy recto; a few miniscule bumps at edges & corners; a touch of rubbing, age-toning & occasional spotting to verso (with signature & writings noted above). Fine-Very Fine. [Item #7848]

Price: $80.00