Ferlinghetti, Lawrence

Routines

New York, NY: New Directions, 1964. Second Printing. Sewn Binding. "In this collection of thirteen very short plays, (Lawrence) Ferlinghetti extends the experiments he began in Unfair Arguments with Existence (1963) into an area barely explored by any dramatist to date- a no man's land between old-style drama and the spontaneous improvisation of the "happening." In between these two extremes, he has created blueprints for dramatic action- outlines from which director and actors may create and interpret freely." (from back cover) A collection of "Routines" (as defined above) by Lawrence Ferlinghetti (1919-2021), The iconic poet, novelist, activist, (sort-of) playwright, bookseller & publisher who with his imprint-store City Lights was a defining pioneer of the Beat Generation/ San Francisco Renaissance. The first thought that comes to our mind when we hear the word "Routines" are the classic satirical-maniacal episodes throughout the works of William S. Burroughs. Sure enough, WSB's routines are acknowledged in Ferlinghetti's introductory notes (pg. 2). With front cover & two interior illustrations by Roland Topor (1938-1997), the great French polymath who was the author of the novel "The Tenant," adopted as an unforgettable film by Roman Polanski (in the pantheon of our President's favorite Disturbing & Surreal Cinema). Trade-format softcover original in sewn binding, first edition, second printing as stated on copyright page & back cover, a production of New Directions, the imprint of James Laughlin (1914-1997, like WSB), Ferlinghetti's friend & fellow-beacon of literary & artistic freedom who (we've always found interesting) published much more of his works than his own canonical City Lights Pocket Poets or other series. While a second printing of the first edition originally published in 1964, the lack of an ISBN number, sewn binding & general condition (per below) of this copy indicate that it was produced still well within the decade of the 1960s. A delightful, challenging Ferlinghetti collectible, especially with Topor's imaginative drawings that evoke the texts. From the collection of Richard Cupidi (b. 1945), our esteemed mate in the UK who managed the fabled Unicorn Bookshop in Brighton, England with Bill Butler (1934-1977, the famed American-expatriate bookseller & publisher). From the late 1960s through the early 1970s, Unicorn proffered & published many outstanding productions by WSB, J.G. Ballard et al., some of which have become the scarcest, all-but-unobtainable Beat-&-Beyond collectibles (see for example our item no.s 8217, 8366). After prevailing against censorious harassment efforts, Unicorn closed & Butler died in short order. Cupidi went on to found the Public House Bookshop in Brighton, which had a long & successful run but is also now closed, & he still resides there. We have been honored to obtain what Cupidi has termed "The Last Hurrah," all the remaining treasures of Unicorn & Public House, some of which have become the stuff of myth. Trade-format softcover in sewn binding: “Second Printing,” as indicated on copyright page. (Morgan, A10, pg. 33-34) In strong near fine condition with mild shelf-wear, light rubbing, light bumping, & a few contained exhibits of light bump-creasing to select locales along fine-edges & corners of front, back covers & spine-edge; some age-toning present variously, throughout; otherwise, clean. Near Fine. [Item #8504]

Price: $35.00