Allen Ginsberg
various but especially New York, NY, ca. 1968-1994
Allen Ginsberg Archive, 7 Pcs, Incl. ALS & SB, Ca. 1968-1994: "writing lotsa haikus - 'Immortality comes later'"
Archive

An archive of materials related to American Beatnik writer Allen Ginsberg (1926-1997), including an autograph letter signed by him, as well as a book signed with his full name and personal mantra "AH." Ca. 1968-1994. Various places but mostly New York, New York. 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. A 1p autograph letter signed on a photo postcard after Gundula Schulze, signed by Ginsberg as "Allen." January 30, 1992. [New York, New York.] Hand-stamped with Ginsberg's P.O. Box address and contact info, and bearing a cancelled stamp. A few paper clip impressions and other weathering, else near fine. 4.125" x 5.875".

Ginsberg addressed this greeting to his maternal cousin Eugene "Gene" Levy (died 1999) of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in full:

"1/30/92

Dear Gene:

recovered from Xmas heart failure, completed Jan. '92 tour Netherlands Toulouse Torino & Modena Italy w/ Philip Glass on last 2 stops, returned home OK - going in for angiography next week, (periscope into arteries) - writing lotsa haikus - 'Immortality comes later.' My home phone is 475-2585, office correctly 212 675 0288 as above, Love Allen

I talked to Judy on phone, in Dec."

2. A first edition copy of ed. Michael Köhler, Allen Ginsberg, "Snapshot Poetics: A Photographic Memoir of the Beat Era" (San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 1993), signed and inscribed by Ginsberg on the title page as: "For Eugene & Lorraine / Levy / from Cousin Allen Ginsberg / Pittsburgh 4-7-1994 AH." With softcover stiff pictorial wraps and French flaps, the left flap showing the original retail price of $12.95. Contains 70+ black and white photographs of Ginsberg, Kerouac, Burroughs, Ferlinghetti, Cassady, Corso, and Orlovsky. Isolated ink ghost impressions facing Ginsberg's inscription. 5-96pp. 8.625" x 9.625" x .5".

Ginsberg embraced Eastern religions, like other Beatniks in his circle. This is evident by Ginsberg's adopting the Buddhist mantra "Ah." The Tibetan Buddhist teacher Chögyam Trungpa recommended that Ginsberg use "Ah" as his personal mantra rather than "Om" after 1972. Ginsberg sometimes autographed collectible material with his mantra "AH," as seen here.

3. A 3pp typescript entitled "Mind Writing Slogans," possibly classroom materials produced by Ginsberg for students at Brooklyn College of The City University of New York. N.d. Ginsberg's facsimile signature as "© Allen Ginsberg" (photocopied) appears on the third page. Hand-stamped with Ginsberg's contact information on the first page. Stapled. 8.5" x 11".

Ginsberg served as a Distinguished Professor of English at Brooklyn College CUNY in 1986-1987, a stint which became a permanent appointment. He taught Poetry to students in the Master of Fine Arts Program.

4. A 2pp printed circular/broadside advertising the Spring 1989 Readings & Lectures Series sponsored by The Humanities Institute, Brooklyn College of The City University of New York. Ca. Spring 1989. Lists nine lectures and readings from the "African-American Poetic Genius: Ma Rainey to Gwendolyn Brooks" series, co-introduced by Allen Ginsberg, from February 16th through May 15th. Unfolded measures 8.5" x 15.875".

5. A 8pp mailing announcing "The Beat Generation: Legacy and Celebration" hosted by the New York University School of Education, honorary co-chair Allen Ginsberg. Ca. Spring 1994. The 50th anniversary of the origins of the Beatnik Movement featured conferences, poetry readings, art exhibits, concerts, and a film festival. Isolated rust traces. 8.5" x 11".

6. A 1p printed broadside, "A Poetry Reading / by / Allen Ginsberg." April 8, 1994. Carnegie Mellon University. On doubleweight tan paper. Scattered wrinkles especially along the right edge. 11" x 15".

7. 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.

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