Unknown ("W.A.R. Jr.")

Original Autograph Postcard to Detroit Artists' Workshop

Malaga, Spain: n/p, 1965. Original Manuscript Postcard. Single Sheet. “IT’S RAINING AGAIN (LIKE EVERY DAY). DON’T BELIEVE THAT SUNNY, WARM, CHEAP SPAIN BIT, ‘CAUSE IN MARCH IT AIN’T TRUE. LOOKS LIKE I’M NOT LEAVING […] THIS COUNTRY FOR A MONTH OR SO ‘CAUSE EVERYWHERE ELSE IS EITHER THE SAME (TANGIERS), COLDER (PARIS) OR TOO FAR (ATHENS). AM PLANNING TO LEAVE HERE SOON AND ANTICIPATE NO PERMANENT ADDRESS FOR SOME TIME” (from Handwritten Postcard). A postcard (measuring appx. 4” x 6”) from a pseudonymous sender to the original 1252 W. Forest Avenue location of the Detroit Artists’ Workshop: the legendary small press publishing outfit and community arts organization founded by John Sinclair (1941-2024) and Robin Eichele (b. 1941) in November 1964. While the sender remains unknown, with only the mysterious initials "W.A.R. Jr.", the date on the postcard (“3-12-65”) and our knowledge of the Detroit Artists’ Workshop leads us to believe that the sender may have been the poet, George Tysh (b. 1942), who was part of the original group that founded the Workshop and was traveling, internationally right around this time. Whatever the case, it certainly was sent by someone who had knowledge of the major centers of Beat Generation activity, internationally (with its mention of Tangiers and Paris, etc.). Tysh also ended up in Paris, eventually; further making that possibility a likely one. Of note are the several stamps at verso depicting Generalissimo Francisco Franco, El Caudillo d'España, who ruled Spain at thie time. A mysterious, interesting postcard from the height of the Mimeograph Revolution. From the collection of Robin Eichele (b. 1941), noted Mimeograph Revolutionary & co-founder (with John Sinclair) of the Detroit Artists’ Workshop. In near fine condition with minute-to-moderate edge-wear, age-toning, rubbing, some light bumping, & artifacts similar or related to these present, variously throughout; otherwise, clean. Near Fine. [Item #8372]

Price: $35.00