GINSBERG, Allen. Howl for Carl Solomon.

GINSBERG, Allen. Howl for Carl Solomon.GINSBERG, Allen. Howl for Carl Solomon. [New York: Gotham Book Mart]. 1979. 17 A4 leaves, stapled at the upper corner and printed on rectos only; Gotham Book Mart ink stamp at foot of title page; fine. An exceptionally rare, unauthorised reprinting of Ginsberg's first book, produced from the original ditto masters; one of the most elusive items in the Beat bibliography, and one of very few recorded copies bearing the Gotham Book Mart stamp. This

GINSBERG, Allen. Howl for Carl Solomon. [New York: Gotham Book Mart]. 1979.

17 A4 leaves, stapled at the upper corner and printed on rectos only; Gotham Book Mart ink stamp at foot of title page; fine.

An exceptionally rare, unauthorised reprinting of Ginsberg's first book, produced from the original ditto masters; one of the most elusive items in the Beat bibliography, and one of very few recorded copies bearing the Gotham Book Mart stamp.

This clandestine edition was produced by Gotham Book Mart without Ginsberg's knowledge or permission while an instalment of his papers was being appraised before their transfer to Columbia University (now preserved at Stanford University). Having obtained access to the original ditto masters used to print the first edition, Gotham reportedly produced around one hundred copies before Ginsberg learned of the project and demanded that the entire edition be surrendered to him.

According to Ginsberg's bibliographer, Bill Morgan, Gotham informed the poet that most copies had been destroyed and none offered for sale. A small number nevertheless clearly survived, some bearing the Gotham Book Mart stamp on the title page, as here, and others unstamped. Morgan records that the present example is among the few copies returned to Ginsberg and notes that only three stamped copies are known.

The text itself occupies a foundational place in Beat literature. Howl for Carl Solomon, Ginsberg's first separately published work, was originally issued in May 1956 in an edition of just twenty-five copies, preceding the first City Lights edition of Howl and Other Poems by several months. The Gotham reprint can be distinguished from the original by its violet ink, more precise alignment of the text on the page, and, where present, the Gotham stamp.

Morgan A1a2.

SKU: 2124407