Books and Manuscripts

Ginsberg, Allen
Kaddish and Other Poems 1958-1960
(San Francisco): City Lights Books, (1961). First edition, first printing (with seven lines printed on rear wrapper). 12mo. (vi), 7-100 pp. Presentation copy, inscribed by Ginsberg on title-page to his cousin Gene Levy: “Allen Ginsberg / Gene Levy's Copy”. Publisher's stiff printed wrappers, light dampstaining in lower wrappers and spine, spine darkened and lightly worn at ends, light soiling to front and rear wrappers, faint crease to top corner on front wrapper; creasing in top corner of title-page and dedication; small ink stamp in bottom of final page. Morgan A4 a1.1

A handsome presentation copy of Ginsberg's second collection of poetry, widely considered one of his masterpieces after Howl (see lot 145). Published in February, 1961 in an impression of 2,500 copies.