The Floating Bear: a newsletter. Numbers 1-37, 1961-1969. SIGNED cloth edition. Introduction and notes adapted from interviews with Diane di Prima
La Jolla, California: Laurence McGilvery, 1973. One of a very few copies signed on the half-title by Diane di Prima. Dark blue library buckram. xviii + [2] + 578 pp. + 6 supplementary sheets in 4 issues. 27.2 x 20.7 cm. First-class, oversewn library binding. As new. ISBN 0-910938-29-6. LC No. 72-79790. **From the introduction: "Bear Number One, what I remember about it. We printed 250 copies. Our mailing list was just two pieces of paper with names scribbled on them, 117 names… painters, poets, dancers…. The intention was to publish only original material…. [T]he last time I saw Charles Olson in Gloucester, one of the things he talked about was how valuable the Bear had been to him in its early years…. [H]is work, his thoughts, would be in the hands of a few hundred writers within two or three weeks. It was like writing a letter to a bunch of friends." The Floating Bear was mimeographed and published mostly in New York City; also Topanga, California; Kerhonkson, New York; and Brooklyn. It was supported by the editors and by contributions, and it never was sold. A list of only the most frequent and well-known contributors includes Frank O'Hara, Allen Ginsberg, Charles Olson, Ed Dorn, Michael McClure, Robert Creeley, Joel Oppenheimer, William Burroughs, Philip Whalen, John Wieners, Robert Duncan, A.B. Spellman, and the editors. The fugitive nature of The Floating Bear and the very small editions of some issues make complete, original sets virtually unobtainable. Full table of contents and detailed author and title index. As new. This is one of four copies with the signed half-title inserted before the existing half-title. **Free domestic shipping with direct order. Item #72401.1
Price: $400.00