White, Kenneth (Snyder, Gary)

The Tribal Dharma: An Essay on the Work of Gary Snyder

ISBN: 0856590231
Llanfynydd, Carmarthen, Dyfed (Wales UK): Unicorn Bookshop, 1975. First Separate Edition. Sewn Wrappers. A scholarly essay on the work of Gary Snyder (b. 1930), the canonical Beat Generation/ San Francisco Renaissance-&-Beyond poet & environmentalist who is still with us at the age of 96 as of this writing, & whose works are now enshrined in the Library of America series, a rare honor for a living writer. Author Kenneth White (1936-2023) was an esteemed Scottish poet, author & academician. Offered here is the 1975 first separate edition of this renowned essay, first published in an academic journal in two parts in a slightly different form during 1971. Trade-chapbook format booklet in sewn binding with exposed spine, first edition, first-&-only printing though neither specified at copyright page. McNeil, G167, pg. 209. An elegant production of Unicorn Bookshop, from the brief period when its publishing arm moved from its closed bookshop in Brighton, England to the above-referenced, difficult-to-pronounce location in Wales. From the collection of Richard Cupidi (b. 1945), our esteemed mate in the UK who was the manager of the very fabled Unicorn Bookshop founded by Bill Butler (1934-1977, the famed poet, bookseller & publisher as here). From the late 1960s through the early 1970s, Unicorn proffered & published many outstanding productions by William S. Burroughs, J.G. Ballard et al., some of which have become the scarcest, all-but-unobtainable Beat-&-Beyond collectibles (see for example our item No.s 8217, 8366). After prevailing against censorious harassment efforts, Unicorn closed & Butler died (after this brief Wales interim as above) in short order. Cupidi went on to found the Public House Bookshop in Brighton, which had a long & successful run but which has also now closed, & he still resides there. We have been privileged to obtain what Cupidi has termed "The Last Hurrah," all the remaining gems of Unicorn & Public house, such as this beauty from Unicorn's own imprint. Third Mind Books proceeds to reverently curate & incrementally present the Butler-Cupidi-Unicorn-Public House Legacy which is in our custodial hands- until it passes to yours. An essential work of Snyder scholarship; a very scarce collectible in its singularly rarest form with the highest, most relevant association & provenance. In very fine condition with only a touch of rubbing, faint scratching to front, back covers; a hint of wear & a few tiny bumps, creases at edges & corners of same; short line of fading from lower edge of front cover (possibly as issued on its special textured paper); slightest rubbing, age-toning to edges of text block (incl. spine). Interior very fine with only tiny bumps at corners of some page leaves. Very Fine. [Item #9232]

Price: $80.00 save 10% $72.00