Myles, Eileen (Jacobs, Brian)

Chelsea Girls

ISBN: 0876859325
1994: Black Sparrow Press, Santa Rosa, CA. First Softcover Edition. Softcover. Inscribed & signed by Eileen Myles to Brian Jacobs. "Time passes. That's for sure. It's the nightmare of having what you want that I'm interested in today. I had a book party five years ago. It took place in New York where I live and it was the beginning of the end for me." (opening paragraph, "February 13, 1982," pg. 127). Chelsea Girls by Eileen Myles (b. 1949), an American poet and writer who has produced more than twenty volumes of poetry, fiction, non-fiction, libretti, plays, and performance pieces over their career, is a candid coming-of-age collection of short stories that capture the raw experiences of a young person navigating their desires and ambitions against the vibrant backdrop of 1980s New York City. Myles weaves together memories from their life, including their Catholic upbringing, their struggles with identity, and their pursuit of a career as a poet amidst the chaos of urban life. Myles moved to New York City from Boston, MA in 1974 with the intention of becoming a poet and while in New York they participated in writing workshops held at St. Mark's Poetry Project, the crucial venue for new and experimental poetry for more than five decades, which promoted the idea of the "working artist." There they studied with second generation New York School poets Alice Notley (1945-2025) & Ted Berrigan (1934-1983) and was given a template for creating art in the context of community. Myles first met Beat Generation Founding Father Allen Ginsberg (1926-1997) there as well, and admired him so much he became the subject of several of their poems and essays. Ultimately, Chelsea Girls is not just a reflection of Myles's life but also a broader commentary on the struggles and triumphs of people seeking their place in a rapidly changing world. It remains a significant work in contemporary literature, celebrated for its authenticity and emotional depth. From the library of Brian Jacobs (b. 1969), a most-distinguished author, publisher & educator who attended the fabled Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics at Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado during the 1990s, where he was the student of its co-founders Anne Waldman (b. 1945) & Allen Ginsberg & was appointed by Ginsberg as his official assistant in the later period of his attendance. Jacobs has gone on to ever-greater heights as a True Beat Progeny, & we have been privileged to obtain and present this stellar collection. At title page, Myles has inscribed and signed to Jacobs in emerald green ink: "For Brian | to the cool guy | I met here & felt was | my friend | love, | (signed) Eileen Myles." First Trade Softcover Edition per endpage colophon: "This edition published in paper wrappers; there are 200 hardcover trade copies; 100 hard copies have been numbered & signed by the author; & 26 copies handbound in boards by Earle Gray are lettered & signed by the author." First Printing though not explicated as such thereon. A most collectible Myles production in one of its rarest contemporary forms, greatly enriched by the poet-to-poet inscription & signature with relevant association & very distinguished provenance. In relatively fine-to-very fine condition with mild-to-moderate occasions of spot-staining to front, back covers & spine; mild rubbing and bumping at edges & corners to same; mild wear at front near spine; mild age-toning & spot-staining to text block. Interior fine-to-very fine with mild age-toning mostly to blank margins & fine edges of pages leaves; the address "86 E 3 NYC 1003" and phone number "212 982 4703" are written in black ink at the top of copyright page. Ocassions of marginalia to pages 14, 20-21, 24-27 & 36. Fine-Very Fine. [Item #8578]

Price: $150.00