charming first edition of Beat poetry collection
LAMANTIA, Philip.
Ekstasis.
San Francisco, The Auerhahn Press, 1959.
Lamantia is known for his surrealist and subversive poetry that inspired Allen Ginsberg and other Beat poets. He met André Breton and Max Ernst at a young age, publishing his first poetry book before turning 20, and, in the 50s, was a member of a jazz and poetry group with Jack Kerouac, Howard Hart, and David Antrim. The final poem of the collection, 'Binoculars', mentions Ginsberg, Kerouac, and Hart by name, as well as Gregory Corso, Micheal McClure, and Gary Snyder, figures associated with the Beat generation and the San Francisco Renaissance.
Its cover design and typography were designed by Robert LaVigne, known for his portraits of many Beat and San Franciscan poets, as well as his typography and book designs as in the cover for the 1971 special fine press edition of Ginsberg's 'Howl'. LaVigne also was an inspiration for characters in two of Kerouac's novels.
Auerhahn Press ran from 1959 to 1965, publishing many key San Franciscan poets of the time. Dave Haselwood, its founder, wrote in 1960, 'the first & final consideration in printing poetry is the poetry itself...the publisher is just a midwife during the final operation.'
First edition, one of 950 copies; 8vo (17.5 x 14 cm); orange device on title page, handset type on 'Warren's antique finish paper', clean interior; cream wrappers with french flaps lettered in orange with device on lower cover (some rubbing and toning, especially on spine); [45]pp.
Stock code 119452
DELIVERY & RETURNS
We accept returns within 30 days of purchase. Please note that all items must be returned in their original condition, including all tags and packaging. Shipping costs are non-refundable.
Ekstasis.
WOOLF, Virginia.
Orlando: A Biography.
1928.
A signed, limited edition copy of Orlando by Virginia Woolf, Nigel Nicholson, Vita Sackville-West's son, declared Orlando to be 'the longest love letter in literature', 1928
$8,904.00
WOOLF, Virginia; STRACHEY, Lytton.
Virginia Woolf & Lytton Strachey Letters.
1956.
A handsome first edition of Virginia Woolf anf Lytton Strachey Letters, Edited by Leonard Woolf and James Strachey.
$309.00
PLATH, Sylvia.
Two Uncollected Poems.
1980.
A limited edition copy of The Uncollected Poems by Sylvia Plath.
$446.00
