Meltzer, David

Broadside: Mr Peanut

San Francisco, CA: Sore Dove Press, 2007. Limited First Edition. Folded Sheet in Wrappers. Signed by David Meltzer. “Speak thru husks of shell’s past / snail leaves its shell behind / snake leaves shed form on the road / what’s left behind is / journey’s history / already losing clarity of detail / of course the products that march us / soldiers thru neon banks of plastic / stuff spastics: buy buy buy buy / Mr Peanut pencils sweatshirts cups dolls…”--David Meltzer, first several stanzas of “Mr. Peanut.” David Meltzer (1937–2016) was born in Rochester, New York, and raised in Brooklyn. He began his literary career during the San Francisco Renaissance-Beat Generation period in North Beach, California, and his work was included in the anthology, The New American Poetry 1945-1960. At the age of 20 he experimented with recording his poetic works with jazz musicians in Los Angeles and also became a singer-songwriter and guitarist for several bands during the 1960s, including The Serpent Power. He is the author of over 40 volumes of poetry, including Arrows: Selected Poetry 1957–1992, No Eyes: Lester Young (2000), Beat Thing (2004), and David’s Copy (2005). He also published fiction and essays, and edited numerous anthologies and collections of interviews, such as The Secret Garden: An Anthology in the Kabbalah (1976), Reading Jazz (1993), Writing Jazz (1999), Birth: Anthology of Ancient Texts, Songs, Prayers, and Stories (1981), Death: Anthology of Texts, Songs, Charms, Prayers, and Tales (1981), San Francisco Beat: Talking with the Poets (2001), and When I Was A Poet (2011). Interestingly enough, back in 2023 we had the pleasure of hosting one of Meltzer's students, Patrick James Dunagan, as he presented his book Rock Tao (2022); a collection of Meltzer's rambling, cohesive rock-n-roll poetics diary originally written in 1965 (which one can pick up in our store today!). Offered today is the exceptionally rare, 2007 folded broadside, Mr. Peanut. Published by the legendary Sore Dove Press founded by Iranian publisher Soheyl Dahi (b. 1954) in 1986 after relocating to San Francisco, CA. The press specializes in the writings of the Beat Generation, printing special limited-edition books and broadsides; their most recent release in June of 2024 is The Train Whistle: 7 Unpublished Poems by Joanna McClure (b. 1930), Beat poet and the ex-wife of fellow poet Michael McClure (1932-2020). This broadside from Sore Dove Press features a poem by David Meltzer. Vivid, propulsive, and dripping with luscious imagery, Mr. Peanut (dedicated to the aforementioned Michael McClure), is classic Meltzer. Signed by author in thin black ink at title flap. Folded Sheet in Stiff Wrappers: limited edition, “Published in an edition of 26 signed and lettered copies,” of which this particular one is lettered “Y” in pencil. In very fine condition with only minimal wear to fine edges. Very Fine. [Item #8900]

Price: $250.00