Niedecker, Lorine

My Life by Water: Collected Poems 1936-1968

London, England, UK: Fulcrum Press, 1970. Limited First Edition. Hardcover. Signed by Lorine Niedecker. "I knew a clean man | but he was not for me. | Now I sew green aprons | over covered seats. He | wades the muddy water fishing | falls in, dries his last pay-check | in the sun, smoothes it out | in "Leaves of Grass." He's | the one for me." (I Knew a Clean Man, pg. 58). The collection My Life by Water: Collected Poems, 1936-1968 by Lorine Niedecker (1903-1970) offers a deep dive into the Wisconsin bred poet's life and work, reflecting on her experiences and the natural world around her. The poems are a testament to Niedecker's ability to distill complex thoughts and images into concise expressions, often drawing inspiration from her surroundings and personal experiences. The collection is a significant contribution to the understanding of Niedecker's poetic voice and her place in the Modernist movement. Evident in this book is Niedecker's interest in history, displayed through techniques like collage, which allow her works to achieve surprisingly polyphonic and collective viewpoints. Among these later poems are sequences about such historical figures as Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) and Charles Darwin (1809-1882). The 1960s saw a revival of interest in Niedecker's work with British-based Fulcrum Press regularly publishing her books, and her poems in magazines. She was also befriended by a number of poets, including Cid Corman (1924-2004), Basil Bunting (1900-1985) and several younger British and American poets who were interested in reclaiming the modernist heritage. The Fulcrum Press made a significant contribution to the British Poetry Revival and was one of the best known little presses of the period, recognized for publishing the works of Modernist poets including Beat Generation Founding Father Allen Ginsberg (1926-1997), Ezra Pound (1885-1972) & Roy Fisher (1930-2017). Admired by her poetic peers, Niedecker's reputation as a major twentieth-century poet has expanded since her death (the same year this collection was published) with the publication of her collected works, two editions of correspondence and a biography. From the collection of Richard Cupidi (b. 1945), our esteemed mate in the UK who managed the fabled Unicorn Bookshop in Brighton, England for founder 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 William S. Burroughs, 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, including this gem. At copyright page, Niedecker has signed her name ("Lorine Niedecker") & handwritten the book's limitation number ("78/100") in iridium black ink. Hardcover: Limited First Edition & first printing per copyright & aforementioned handwritten limitation number. A most collectible Niedecker work of poetry, in its rarest contemporary form, greatly enhanced by Niedecker's signature & handwritten limitation number, with relevant association & very distinguished provenance. In relatively fine-to-very fine condition with mild rubbing, scratching & age-toning to front, back covers & spine; mild spot-staining to text block. Interior fine-to-very fine with mild-to-moderate age-toning mostly to blank margins & fine edges of front & back paste-downs/flyleafs; mild age-toning mostly to blank margins & fine edges of page leaves. Fine. [Item #8724]

Price: $500.00