Huffstickler, Albert

The Man in the Chair (Variations on a Dream)

N/P: No Publisher, 1997. First Edition. Stapled Wrappers. Inscribed, signed & dated by Albert Huffstickler. “There’s a bondage / that’s holy: i / feel the light / above me (dangling, / bulb bare). My / mind has vanished. / i sag against / the ropes, taste / my bitter blood. / how did i / come here? What / are they doing / to me? Why does / that small light / burn so?”--Albert Huffstickler, “The Man in the Chair,” pg. 3. Albert Huffstickler (December 17, 1927 – February 25, 2002) was an American poet. He was born in Texas and lived in Austin during his later years, contributing to the poetry scene there and further afield. Huffstickler published hundreds of poems in his lifetime in both chapbooks and academic and underground journals. Among his oeuvre, the following titles particularly stick out: the collections Walking Wounded (1989), and Working on My Death Chant (1991); the chapbooks The Remembered Light,The Certitude of Laundromats (1995) & Armageddon (1998). Offered today is a criminally underrated, and exceedingly rare Huffstickler work, The Man in the Chair (Variations on a Dream) (1997). A chapbook collection of poetry, The Man in the Chair is experimental, ephemeral, haunting, and often dripping with pathos. Huffstickler’s minimalist approach mixed with his avant-garde/experimental disposition makes each poem a kaleidoscopic skein of imagery, unorthodox line composition, and is reminiscent of poets like Charles Olson (1910-1970), Paul Blackburn (1926-1971), and Anne Waldman (b. 1945). An incredible Huffstickler rarity! Signed, inscribed & dated by the author to, presumably, a previous owner at title page in thin black ink: “Best wishes, / to Annie / from Albert Huffstickler / Sept. 6, 1997.” Chapbook in stapled wrappers. First edition. Presumed first & only printing. Chapbook in very fine condition with minor wear to fine edges, slight smudging/staining to front and back covers, and minimal rusting at staples. Very Fine. [Item #8729]

Price: $45.00