Floating Bear: A Newsletter. Issue #37
New York: Diane di Prima, 1969. Quarto, publisher’s saddle-stapled illustrated wraps.
Issue number 37 of pioneering American poet Diane di Prima’s mimeographed literary newsletter. The most prominent female poet among the Beat coterie, di Prima ascended the countercultural literary movement with an enduring reputation as a writer and editor. Established in 1961, Floating Bear quickly became a hub for experimental and avant-garde writing by the post-Beat, New York School, and Black Mountain poets, including entries by Charles Olson, William Burroughs, Denise Levertov, Bill Berkson, Allen GInsberg, Robert Creeley, and Frank O’Hara. Circulated throughout the US, it was informally produced, often in communal settings where contributors helped type, staple, and mail issues. Notably in 1961, di Prima and her early co-editor LeRoi Jones (who left the mag in 1963) were arrested by the FBI for distributing obscene material (they were held briefly but not indicted). Floating Bear ran until 1971, producing a total of 38 issues over its decade-long run. This later issue features a cover designed by Wallace Berman and poems by Jones, di Prima, Lenore Kandel, Victor Hernandez Cruz, Gary Snyder, Janine Pommy-Vega, Michael McClure, and others. Early owner ink notation to lower wrap attributing authorship of the poem "666: 'The Hymn' to 'Lucifer,'" which appears there, to "Freewheelin Frank" Reynolds, secretary of the San Francisco chapter of the Hell's Angels. Some toning, soiling, staining, and minor edgewear to wraps. Very good. Item #13255
$100.00