Various (di Prima, Diane (Editor); Jones, LeRoi (Editor); Metcalf, Paul; Olson, Charles; Selby Jr., Hubert et al.)

The Floating Bear: A Newsletter, No. 17 (1961)

New York, NY, USA: Floating Bear, 1961. First Edition. Stapled Sheets. “WIENERS’ STILL LIFE SEEMS DISCONNECTED IN FORM IN A MANNER WHICH IS COMPELLING. OF THE THREE PRODUCTIONS, THIS ONE WAS CLOSEST TO THE AUTHOR IN TENOR. BUT IT SEEMED AS IF THE PLAY’S MEANING ESCAPED IT — ‘THE DISINTEGRATION OF A SOCIAL UNIT.’ THEREFORE, THE PRODUCTION SEEMED OVERDONE WHEN ACTUALLY IT WAS UNDERDONE. JAMES WARING [1922-1975] CHOSE TO UNDERPLAY THE ACTORS’ MOVEMENTS. I WONDER WHY? HAS HE BECOME TOO SELF-CONSCIOUS ABOUT HIS KNOWN ABILITY TO DESIGN MOVEMENT? IS HE TRYING TO SOFTPEDAL THAT ABILITY FOR THE ACTOR’S (PLAY RATHER THAN DANCE) [sic] DOGMA? I, FOR ONE, WISH HE WDN’T ) [sic]. IT’S ALL THEATRE! A DISTINCT USE OF THE PLAYING AREAS, DESIGNED MOVEMENT FOR THE ACTORS WD NOT HAVE HURT THIS PLAY” (Jerry Benjamin, “Afterthoughts on the N.Y. Poets’ Theatre Production of Nights at the Tango by James Waring, Still Life by John Wieners, Faust Fouto [Act IV] by Robert Duncan”). An early issue of The Floating Bear, the major American mimeographed literary magazine founded by Diane Di Prima (1934-2020) and LeRoi Jones (1934-2014) in February 1961. It features works by Hubert Selby Jr. (1928-2004); Joel Oppenheimer (1930-1988); Charles Olson (1910-1970); and Paul Metcalf (1917-1999), as well as a review of one-act plays then being staged at the N.Y. Poets Theatre (quoted above). A delightful, classic issue of one of the most important magazines of the Mimeograph Revolution. From the collection of Albert Glover (1942-2026), the esteemed American poet, editor, publisher & academician who was the foremost remaining authority on Olson. 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. Mimeographed literary magazine in stapled sheets: the First & only Printing of Issue No. 17 of Di Prima’s immortal Floating Bear. In strong near fine condition with only minute shelf-wear, minute-to-moderate age-toning & some light bumping to fine-edges & corners of sheets on verso & recto sides; otherwise, generally clean. Fine-Very Fine. [Item #8817]

Price: $300.00