Various (Corman, Cid; Creeley, Robert; Levertov, Denise; Olson, Charles et al.)

Four Winds: A Quarterly of Arts and Letters Vol. 1 No. 1 (Summer 1952)

Gloucester, MA: Four Winds, 1952. First Printing. Stapled Wrappers. “The function of the small magazine is that it stimulates the literary circulation of a nation by providing an opportunity for new voices. The belief that a wide exchange of creative talent can contribute to understanding between peoples, and between groups within peoples, and that our future, the world’s future, is dependent upon the activity and encouragement of creative individuals, led to the starting of FOUR WINDS. We are germinating from one of the most famous islands on the globe: Emerson, Kipling, Longfellow, Connolly, TS Eliot, Olson — to mention a few — have found inspiration here, [and] ‘it frequently happens that very unusual methods of starting may lead to the most original outcome’” (note from “The Editors” of Four Winds). A literary journal edited by Vincent Ferrini (1913-2007), the noted American author and poet known for his longstanding, formative associations with the poets, Charles Olson (1910-1970) and Robert Creeley (1926-2005). Its influence is suggested by the poet, Peter Anastas in a 1995 interview conducted by the 33rd Degree Olsonian, Ralph Maud that was later published in Issue No. 10 of The Charles Olson Society. “I read my first Creeley poem, ‘Division,’” Anastas notes, “in Vincent Ferrini’s little magazine Four Winds, published in Gloucester in the summer of 1952. […] I read my first Olson poem, 'Maximus Letter #2,' in that same issue of Four Winds." (Butterick & Glover, C36, pg. 42) By a stroke of luck and fate, that same issue is now before you. Besides Creeley, Ferrini, and Olson, several other writers of note are found peopling the contents page of the Summer 1952 issue of Four Winds, including Denise Levertov (1923-1997) and Cid Corman (1924-2004) of Origin Magazine fame. For a full list of contents and contributors, see the photographs attached to this listing. From the collection of Albert Glover (1942-2026), the great American scholar, bibliographer, author & publisher who until recently was the foremost authority on literary giant Charles Olson (our favorite Maximus Obscurantist), with whom we're honored to have been acquainted. Small-format literary journal in stapled wrappers: the First-&-only Printing of this extremely early issue of Four Winds featuring appearances by Olson and Creeley. In Good-Very Good condition with mild-to-enunciated shelf-wear, age-toning, some light rubbing, bumping, and a modest apportionment of related, low-visibility exhibits of bump-creasing present at/along fine-edges & corners of front, back covers & spine-edge, throughout; moderate rusting & bleeding to staples at interior & exterior; otherwise, generally clean. Good-Very Good. [Item #8813]

Price: $300.00