Duncan, Robert

Poems 1952

ISBN: 1880631237
Buffalo, NY: Shuffaloff / Eternal Network, 2012. Limited First Edition Thus. Stapled Wrappers. A volume of poems by Robert Duncan (1919-1988), the great American poet & author of the Black Mountain School- San Francisco Renaissance-&-Beyond. As the colophon at the back of the work (which we quote in full, later on in the body of this curation), this is a charming facsimile of a chapbook that Duncan hand-made & gifted to the artist, Jess Collins (1923-2004), who was Duncan’s romantic & intellectual partner for thirty-seven years. They met in San Francisco during the early 1950s, and the no-frills design of this work (i.e., the contents, essentially are handwritten poems, variously accompanied by drawings) suggests that a certain romantic fortuitousness is associated with it. You can imagine it being a cute, early part of their story as a couple: that’s kind of the vibe; but it’s also Robert Duncan, however, so you’re not getting out of the classroom, entirely — the sparkling erudition associated with his verse forms is here as elsewhere on view. From the collection of Albert Glover (1942-2026), the esteemed American poet, editor, publisher & academician who was the foremost remaining authority on "Maximus Obscurantist" Charles Olson (1910-1970). Glover was a student of & anointed by the Maximus Master himself at SUNY Buffalo during the 1960s, & had ever since served outstandingly to bear the Olsonian Torch as bibliographer, editor & publisher. We have just been informed of Glover's passing during February of 2026, & extend our heartfelt condolences to his family. Small-format chapbook in stapled wrappers: “This facsimile of a chapbook / hand-made by Robert Duncan in 1952 / has been produced in an edition of 149 copies / with the cooperation and assistance of / The Poetry/Rare Book Room at the University of Buffalo. / Special thanks to the Jess Trust for their permission / granting unfettered access to the text." In strong near fine condition with mild-to-moderate shelf-wear & some light rubbing to fine-edges & corners of front, back covers & spine-edge; a few scattered, low-visibility nicks & bumps to fine-edges; otherwise welcomingly clean. Near Fine. [Item #8749]

Price: $125.00 save 15% $106.25