San Francisco State College (Whitman, Walt)

[1] An Evening with Whitman, with: [2] Songs that Whitman Knew (May 25, 1955)

San Francisco, CA: San Francisco State College, 1955. First Printings. Folded Single Sheet; Stapled Wrappers. Two pieces of ephemera produced by the Humanities Division & Humanities Club of San Francisco State College in conjunction with an event celebrating the great American Transcendentalist poet, Walt Whitman (1819-1892). The event, which took place on May 25, 1955, commemorated the 100-year anniversary of the release of Whitman’s masterwork, Leaves of Grass. The first pamphlet, the primary program for the event (which was formally titled An Evening with Whitman), lists seven different performances, to be followed by a “social hour” with “refreshments.” The second pamphlet, titled Songs That Whitman Knew, features the lyrics to six songs that Whitman scholars (ostensibly) identified as songs the great Gay American bard was aware of, or “knew.” Beat scholars will no doubt make the connection in their heads between this celebration of Whitman and the publication of Allen Ginsberg’s (1926-1997) Howl and Other Poems the following year. An elusive and charming bundle of Whitman-centered collectibles. [1] Folded Single Sheet with [2] small-format pamphlet in stapled wrappers: the First-&-likely-only Printings of both pieces of ephemera offered here. [1] In strong Good-Very Good condition with only minute-to-moderate shelf-wear & some light bumping to fine-edges & corners of recto & verso sides & moderate-to-enunciated age-toning (foxing, yellowing, etc.) throughout, esp. at interior of pamphlet at center-middle when fully opened, and at verso of pamphlet along rightmost fine-edge; otherwise, clean with interior unmarked. [2] Also in Good-Very Good condition with only minute-to-moderate shelf-wear, some light bumping, & occasional, tiny exhibits of bump-creasing to fine-edges & corners of front, back covers & spine-edge; minute-to-moderate rusting, bleeding to staples at interior & interior; a few instances of age-toning (spotting, browning) present variously, throughout; & what looks like a vintage coffee stain present at front cover along leftmost fine-edge; otherwise, clean with interior unmarked. Good-Very Good. [Item #9352]

Price: $50.00 save 10% $45.00