Allen Ginsberg
various including New York and Pennsylvania, ca. 1989-1997
Allen Ginsberg Archive, 12 Pcs, Incl. ALS, Inscribed Book, & Vintage Snapshots, Ca. 1989-1997
Archive

An archive of materials related to American Beatnik writer Allen Ginsberg (1926-1997), including an autograph letter signed by him; an unusual first edition book inscribed by him; and a handful of wonderful vintage photographs. Ca. 1989-1994. Various places in New York and Pennsylvania. Expected wear including toning, transmittal folds and wrinkles, and scattered scuffs. Please refer to catalog photos for additional information related to condition, which is overall very good to near fine. The largest item measures 11" x 15".

The lot includes:

1.-2. A 1p autograph letter signed by Ginsberg as "Allen Ginsberg" at lower right. March 24, 1989. [New York, New York.] Inscribed with more than 180 words on a simple sheet of typing paper, including several contemporaneous cross-outs and rewrites. Hand-stamped with Ginsberg's P.O. Box address and contact info at the letterhead. Flattened paper folds, else near fine. 8.5" x 11". Accompanied by its original transmittal envelope engrossed in Ginsberg's hand and bearing the same return address hand-stamp. The envelope is postmarked with a cancelled stamp and letter-opened at top.

Ginsberg wrote this letter to his maternal cousin Eugene "Gene" Levy (died 1999) of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and the latter's wife Lorraine. Levy was a professional historian specializing in African American history, Pittsburgh history, and industrial history. He taught at Carnegie Mellon University from 1965-1999. The book which Ginsberg mentions reading was almost certainly Eugene Levy, "James Weldon Johnson: Black Leader, Black Voice" (Chicago: University of Chicago, 1973).

In part:

"3-24-89

Dear Gene + Lorraine -

Thanks for gift of Memphis Minnie & Bamboo tree. I actually read thru your excellent bio of Johnson cover to cover and took notes & used it as basis for classroom lecture on Johnson's varied & quite noble career - I was really impressed by him! and by your steady clarity. It filled me in on a lot of history that like most jerks I took for granted or ignore - gave me an appetite to know more.

Paragon House does scholarly book reprints - I suggested they contact you for info on your book if it's appropriate - and any suggestions for other books you give them might lead to some action. Which of Johnson's books are out of print now, and which 'deserve' reprintings? They can do ok on small printings - 3-4 thousand.

Pleasure to see you + admired your interests + scope - must be some family likeness of mind. Did I already send you my Collected Poems? (my brains are soft.) - My secretary thinks I did!

Allen Ginsberg"

3. An unusual first edition copy of Hanuman Books #24, Allen Ginsberg, "Your Reason & Blake's System" (Madras & New York: Hanuman Books, 1988), inscribed in Ginsberg's hand on the title page as: "for Gene + Lorraine / Levy / 11-10-89 / Pittsburgh." The softcover pocket-sized book has its original lime green covers and dust jacket. Expected surface wear, else intact and near fine. 7-43pp. 2.75" x 4.125" x .25".

4.-8. A handwritten envelope containing four vintage photographs of Allen Ginsberg and Eugene Levy, inscribed "Allen Ginsberg's visit / 94 / Easter Sunday" on the envelope back. The glossy color photographs printed on Fujicolor photo paper show Ginsberg seated with his cousin (2); and Ginsberg on a stage at a probable Carnegie Mellon event (2). The photos measure 3.5" x 5".

9. A vintage glossy black and white photograph on Kodak photo paper showing Allen Ginsberg and Eugene Levy. 6.875" x 5".

10. A 1p printed broadside, "A Poetry Reading / by / Allen Ginsberg." April 8, 1994. Carnegie Mellon University. On doubleweight tan paper. Scattered corner folds, wrinkles, scuffs, and ink smears. 11" x 15".

11. Part of the April 15, 1997 issue of "The Village Voice" newspaper (Vol. XLII, No. 15), containing several posthumous tributes to Allen Ginsberg, who had died two weeks earlier. Essays and short reflections by Ann Douglas, Robert Pinsky, and others. Includes the front and back covers as well as pages 36-39. An address label is located on the front cover near the top. Minor yellowing, with sheared left edges of the inner pages. 12" x 14".

12. A facsimile $1 bill ("One Vote") promoting "Dick Gregory for President of the United States of America," ca. 1968. Gregory was the unsuccessful presidential candidate representing the Peace and Freedom Party. 6" x 2.625".

Allen Ginsberg, author of "Howl and Other Poems" published in 1956, was one of the leading intellectuals of the 1950s Beat Generation that also included Jack Kerouac, William S. Burroughs, and Gregory Corso.

Please see our terms and conditions for lots of five items or more.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

  • Dimensions: largest item: 11" x 15"
  • Medium: Archive

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Unless otherwise indicated, we do our own in-house world-wide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses that proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with a signature required option, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice. If any changes to the shipping address need to be made, you must inform us immediately.***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third-Party Shipping Option: If a third-party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third-party. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third-party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third-party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third-party shippers.

After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 10 business days following receipt of full payment for item.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Wilton, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

by University Archives
July 28, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
88 Danbury Road
Suite 2A
Wilton, CT, US 06897

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000