"AN ORAL DICTIONARY OF THE IMAGINATION": FIRST EDITION, PRESENTATION/ASSOCIATION COPY, OF COOLIDGE'S THE MAINTAINS, INSCRIBED BY COOLIDGE TO ALLEN GINSBERG, ALSO WITH GINSBERG'S OWNER SIGNATURE

(GINSBERG, Allen) COOLIDGE, Clark. The Maintains. (Oakland, California): This Press, (1974). Octavo, original printed white paper wrappers. $3200.

First edition of this collection of experimental, sound-driven poetry, inscribed by Clark Coolidge to Allen Ginsberg: "For Allen, an oral dictionary of the imagination manu tenere [I support] with all Best Wishes, Clark. Hancock, Mass.—7 III 75." With Ginsberg's owner signature beneath Coolidge's inscription.

Ron Silliman, publisher of The Maintains, devoted an issue of his journal Tottel's to Coolidge's poetry and wrote, "When Coolidge and [Robert] Grenier extended the definition of language beyond discourse, it seemed that a reinvestigation of the whole act of writing was not only possible, but necessary. Any other tendency now is mere decoration." This presentation copy is inscribed by Clark Coolidge to Allen Ginsberg and also bears Ginsberg's owner signature. Clark Coolidge and Allen Ginsberg were rough contemporaries as well as prominent American poets. However, the slightly older Ginsberg often served as a model for Coolidge, who imitated him in his early poetry. Coolidge soon struck out on his own, establishing himself as a jazz musician and experimental poet. Ginsberg, on the other hand, strayed further and further into progressive activism. In 2015, Coolidge gave a powerful talk at NAROPA's Summer Session entitled, "Allen Ginsberg—Poet."

Very nearly fine condition.