Kandel, Lenore (Glover, Albert)

The Love Book

San Francisco, CA: Stolen Paper Review, 1966. First Edition, First Printing. Stapled Wrappers. From the library of Albert Glover, with his ownership signature & date. "The cover photograph is a detail from a Tibetan scroll depicting Adi Buddha (The Root Buddha) and his Shakti in yab-yum position, symbolizing the union of male-female principles of the universe" (front endpaper). A lesser-known legend of the San Francisco scene in the ‘60s, Lenore Kandel (1932-2009) was the only female writer to be involved in an obscenity trial for published writing. Following the publication of Beat generation Founding Father Allen Ginsberg’s (1926-1997) Howl in 1956, police seized copies of the book from City Lights Bookstore and other booksellers instigating the obscenity trial that brought the movement into the spotlight. The conclusion of that trial determined that any material with “the slightest redeeming social importance” cannot be persecuted under the First Amendment. Even so, Kandel was targeted in 1966 for The Love Book, but the whole ordeal only brought more attention to her writing. The authorities that started the siege believed this “pornographic” material would not fall under “the slightest redeeming social importance” clause, and so they took action. This may have had something to do with newly-elected Governor of California Ronald Reagan’s (1911-2004) crackdown on countercultural movements and protests. Kandel fell victim to this pursuit and the general resurgence of shame around sex. This trial was the last, and the longest, of the obscenity trials in San Francisco, reaching a guilty verdict which was overturned in 1971. Kandel argued that sex is a religious or spiritual expression in and of itself, succeeding in defending her work in the courts. Kandel was also the only female speaker at the famous “Human Be-In” at Golden Gate Park which kicked off 1967's "Summer of Love,” and she was the model for Romana Swartz in Jack Kerouac's 1962 novel "Big Sur." Sadly, her writing career was cut short due to a motorcycle accident in 1970 which limited her mobility. This genuine relic of one of the most evolutionary eras in United States history, The Love Book was one of the catalysts of a major societal paradigm shift. From the collection of Albert Glover (b. 1942), the great American scholar, bibliographer, author & publisher who is the foremost living authority on literary (& literal) giant Charles Olson (1910-1970; our favorite Maximus Obscurantist), with whom we're honored to be acquainted. At top right corner of front endpaper, Glover has written his ownership signature and date in black ink: "A. Glover 8.3.71." Chapbook in Stapled Wrappers: First edition, first printing, as indicated by the presence of crimson red endpapers according to research. It was originally self-published before the Stolen Paper Review acquired it, and the first printing contains red endpapers, compared to the second printing's light blue endpapers. A stirring, inspiring & most-essential Kandel/Beat Generation/American History collectible in its rarest contemporary form, greatly enriched by Glover's ownership signature/date; with distinguished, highly relevant association & provenance. In relatively fine-to-very fine condition with only minute discoloration to front and back covers; minor rubbing, bumping mostly at spine and to fine edges of same; mild age-toning to text block. Interior fine-to-very fine with minor age-toning mostly to margins and fine edges of inner covers and page leaves; minor smudging to front & back inner covers and some pages; an occasion of discoloration near center fine edge occurs on front endpaper; minor bumping to corners of leaves. Fine-Very Fine. [Item #8133]

Price: $200.00