Bertholf, Robert J. (Editor); Smith, Dale M. (Editor); Duncan, Robert; Olson, Charles

An Open Map: The Correspondence of Robert Duncan and Charles Olson

ISBN: 9780826358967
Albuquerque, NM, USA: University of New Mexico Press, 2017. First Edition. Hardcover. "The correspondence of Robert Duncan and Charles Olson is one of the foundational literary exchanges in American poetry in the second half of the twentieth century. The letters provide the facts and circumstances of what lies under the published literary history, and they illuminate the pathway from imaginative conception to the published texts by recounting the poetics of formation. So much of these poets' published work was based on intense discussions that took place off the printed page, often in letters that debated the value of form and wisdom in poetry. They never lived close to one another and spoke on the telephone rarely, so the primary medium of exchange between them was the letter," (from Introduction, pg. 1) The correspondence of Robert Duncan (1919-1988), the great Black Mountain School-San Francisco Renaissance poet, and Charles Olson (1910-1970), the Black Mountain-&-Beyond Poet's Poet, is compiled here by Duncan bibliographer Robert J. Bertholf (1940 – 2016)(see our item No. 2414), and Canadian author, editor & academician Dale M. Smith (b. 1967). The letters in this volume range from 1947 to 1969, just before Olson's death, demonstrating the mutual admiration and friendship that sustained this decades-long mentorship and collaboration. From the collection of Albert Glover (1942-2026), the great American scholar, bibliographer, author & publisher who was the primary authority on literary giant Charles Olson (our favorite Maximus Obscurantist), with whom we're honored to have been acquainted. Hardcover without dust jacket, as issued: first edition, first printing as indicated by number sequence on copyright page. In relatively fine-to-very fine condition with mild bumping to the edges and corners of front, back covers & spine; mild rubbing/scratching to covers; mild bubbling/creasing to top edge of back cover; very mild rubbing/scuffing to the left edge of back cover; mild spotting/bumping to the right edge of page block. Interior very fine, crisp and clean. Fine-Very Fine. [Item #8799]

Price: $75.00 save 15% $63.75