Howl and Other Poems : Allen Ginsberg [ First Edition ]
$2,500
Out of stock
Description
Howl and Other Poems by Allen Ginsberg . City Lights Publishing, San Francisco, 1956. First Edition .
One of the foundational texts of Beat literature, Howl first appeared as “Howl for Carl Solomon” the previous year (1955) in a hand-stapled, mimeographed run of 50. This first edition, first issue of Allen Ginsberg ‘s Howl and Other Poems— recognizable by the dedication to “Lucien Carr” removed in later versions and the mistaken period after Harlem on the back wrapper– served as the centerpiece of considerable controversy, including a landmark Obscenity case.
Originally printed in London, publisher and poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti was arrested after customs officials seized 520 copies for their references to homosexual sex and drug use. Following Ferlinghetti’s acquittal, Howl saw a second print run of 5000 copies to meet demand, making this true first edition of the Ginsberg classic even more difficult to come across.
Small octavo, original wrappers as issued. Foxing to front and back wraps. Some small pencil markings to title page but text otherwise clean. Superficial chip to front wrapper at spine. Good condition.
If you liked this book, you might also like, this first edition of Jack Kerouac’s Lonesome Traveler.
