Smith, Patti

Ha! Ha! Houdini!

London, England, UK: First UK Edition, 1977. First Edition. Stapled Wrappers. “Herry Rouclere!!! / ever hear of him? an illuminated man. / yet he traded his magic light for the / life of a flyer. tacked on his wings / and laid his cards on the table. you / gotta hand it to him. his heart was in / the right place. he was quite a man. / But Harry Houdini was more than a man. / he was an angel. / true. an imperfect one. he lacked the / wings of a dove. but he had spirit. / he kept trying.”--Patti Smith, Ha! Ha! Houdini!. Patti Smith (b. 1946) is an American poet, singer, songwriter, and author known both for her literary work as well as being a massively influential member of the New York City Punk movement. Her books of nonfiction and poetry include Witt (1973), Babel (1978), Woolgathering (1992), Auguries of Innocence (2005), The Coral Sea (2012), Collected Lyrics, 1970–2015 (2015), M Train (2015), Devotion (2017), Year of the Monkey (2019) & A Book of Days, featuring 365 images and reflections (2022). Released in 1975, Smith’s first recording, Horses, was inducted into the National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress in 2009 by the National Recording Preservation Board. Her subsequent albums include Radio Ethiopia; Easter, which included “Because the Night,” cowritten with Bruce Springsteen; Wave; Dream of Life, which included “People Have the Power,” cowritten with her late husband, Fred “Sonic” Smith; Gone Again; Peace and Noise; Gung Ho; Trampin’; Land; Twelve; Banga; and Outside Society. Offered today is the 1977 poem Ha! Ha! Houdini!. Originally written as a poem in 1972, Ha! Ha! Houdini! is a chapbook length poem written about/inspired by the legendary illusionist, stuntman, and inventor Harry Houdini (1874-1926). Part reverent eulogy, and part raw, visceral examination of the man, Ha! Ha! Houdini! is a classic Smith piece that is both exceedingly rare and an incredible collectible! From the collection of Richard Cupidi (b. 1945), our esteemed mate in the UK who was the manager of the fabled Unicorn Bookshop in Brighton, England founded by Bill Butler (1934-1977, the famed American-expatriate poet, bookseller & publisher). 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 in short order. Cupidi went on to found the Public House Bookshop in Brighton, which had a long & successful run but which also has now closed, & he still resides there. We have been honored to obtain what Cupidi has termed "The Last Hurrah," all the remaining gems of Unicorn & Public House, including this. Chapbook in stapled wrappers. First & presumably only printing. In very fine condition with only minor wear to fine edges, and slight smudging/staining to front and back covers. Very Fine. [Item #9236]

Price: $500.00 save 10% $450.00