Olson, Charles; Corman, Cid; Glover, Albert; Williams, William Carlos et al.)

Maps #4: Charles Olson

Shippensburg, PA: John Taggart, 1971. Limited Edition. Softcover. "Probably the outstanding contribution of the day was the speech delivered by Professor Charles Olson, in which he pointed out the inherent barbarism in man, the emotional forces that drove men into battle - ending with the warning that only by substituting a cause with as great an emotional appeal as war, only by fighting war with the fanaticism of religious maniacs, could the peacemakers hope to avert war, even temporarily." ("Clark News," Clark University, 1935). A special commemorative issue of the irregularly published, critically acclaimed literary magazine Maps, published by American poet & critic John Taggart (b. 1942) & specially edited by poetry scholar George Butterick (1942-1988). Maps #4 was published shortly after the death of the great American poet, central figure to the Black Mountain School of Poetry, the "Maximus Obscurantist" himself, Charles Olson (1910-1970), in part due to Butterick's dedication to ensuring Olson was rightfully recognized & admired. Split into two parts, part one ("by Charles Olson") of Maps #4 memorializes Olson by showcasing his poems Dylan Thomas, and Now Matthew Mead - As He Himself, 'To Edward Thomas' (pgs. 1-2), As the shield goddess Mycenae... (pgs. 3-4) & Hotel Steinplatz, Berlin, December 25 (1966) (pgs. 5-7). Also featured is a letter from Olson to fellow Black Mountain poet Robert Creeley (1926-2005) Olson's first letter to Robert Creeley (pg. 8), A Syllaby For A Dancer (pgs. 9-16) & On Black Mountain (pgs. 16-39), a transcription of an Olson lecture at Beloit College in 1968. Part two ("on Charles Olson") contains photographs from Olson's life photographs (pgs. 42-45), a write-up of an Olsonian speaking engagement contribution from Clark University's "Clark News," "Clark News: Speakers Forceful at Poorly Attended Anti-War Meeting Friday" (pg. 46; see quoted above), a eulogy of sorts from fellow poet & personal friend Vincent Ferrini (1913-2007) Vincent Ferrini: A Frame (pgs. 47-60), an analysis of Olson's poetry from American poet & editor of Origin magazine, Cid Corman (1924-2004) Cid Corman: On Poetry As Action (pgs. 66-71) & William Carlos Williams: Review of the Maximus Poems 11-22 (pgs. 61-65), wherein twentieth century poetry influencer Williams (1883-1963) gives his personal opinions to Olson about his magnum opus The Maximus Poems. From the collection of Albert Glover (1942-2026), the great American scholar, bibliographer, author & publisher who until recently was the foremost remaining authority on the aforementioned literary giant Charles Olson, with whom we're honored to have been acquainted. SeeAlbert Glover ownership signature at title page. Small-Format Softcover: Limited Edition of 500 copies per copyright page, first & only printing per publication custom. A most valuable addition for any collector of dynamic Olsonian artifacts, in its rarest contemporary form, with highly relevant association & very distinguished provenance. In relatively fine condition with mild-to-moderate age-toning & rubbing to front, back covers & spine; several occasions of spot-staining to/at fine edges of front cover; mild creasing/bumping to corners of front & back covers; mild-to-moderate age-toning, rubbing & spot-staining to text block. Interior fine-to-very fine with mild age-toning mostly to blank margins & fine edges of page leaves; marginalia on page 10. Fine. [Item #8801]

Price: $50.00