Jonas, Stephen; King, Basil; Wieners, John

Transmutations

London, England: The Ferry Press, 1966. First Edition, First Printing. Softcover. “It is here in the South End that the Poet lives, where the outcasts of old times swing. No longer Billie Holiday at the Savoy, but Jan Balas still stumbles through the streets at dawn. No longer Malcom X at Mass Avenue on the Roseland Ballroom (that’s gone too). No longer Tremont and Boylston, they’ve moved out to Roxbury; oh Billy Donahue, he’s underground at the Navy Yard. I thought that was Roger Weber’s tramping ground. Anyway, here is Steve Jonas, here is the language he makes real, the city he lives by and that has died under his grasp, the gods he lives with, the poets he meets, and the men he has loved, and the painters, that are thrown in for good measure. Here is the poetry he makes come alive” (from Introduction by John Wieners). A volume of poems by the gay Black American poet, Stephen Jonas (1921-1970) — an enormous talent known, primarily for his associations with John Wieners (1934-2002; who provided the introduction for this volume) & his being influenced, heavily by the great Charles Olson (1910-1970). While Jonas died young (1970), his body of work has become increasingly appreciated over time, and a volume like Transmutations shows why. 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. Glover passed away during February of 2026, & we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family. Trade-format softcover in stiff wrappers with dust jacket: First Edition of March 1966, though not explicated as such on copyright page. Designed & printed by the Goliard Press, London. Book in relatively near fine condition with only minute-to-moderate shelf-wear & some light bumping to fine-edges & corners of front, back covers & spine-edge. Dust jacket in Good-Very Good condition with only with moderate-to-enunciated rubbing, shelf-wear, light bumping, some chipping, & scattered, light nicks & low-visibility scuffs to front, back covers & spine-edge; light-to-moderate age-toning throughout, otherwise clean. Near Fine. [Item #8901]

Price: $300.00