Books

San Francisco: City Lights Pocket Bookshop, 1956. First Edition. Very Good+. First edition, first issue with Lucien Carr listed on the dedication page and a period after Harlem on the rear cover. Signed by Allen Ginsberg on the title page and inscribed "Allen Ginsberg - Dec. 15, 1975, G.B.M. - for Kirby Congdon - Ah." with doodles of a smiling sun and flower. Publisher's black wraps printed in blue with white wraparound printed in black. Very Good+ with light toning, foxing and staining. Minor toning to contents. An important association copy of this undisputed cornerstone of Beat poetry, Ginsberg's initial inspiration came from a terrifying vision he had during a San Francisco peyote trip. Inscribed warmly to fellow poet Kirby Congdon (1924-2023). Like Ginsberg Congdon was openly gay at a time when few people dared to be, and was a flamboyant motorcyclist and leather aficionado who mingled regularly in the Beat community. He published Interim Books, Cycle Press, and the lit mag…

Howl and Other Poems is a collection of poetry by Allen Ginsberg published in 1956. It contains Ginsberg's most famous poem, 'Howl', which is considered to be one of the principal works of the Beat Generation along with other notable poems.

The first edition of 'Howl and Other Poems' can be identified by its original publisher, City Lights Books, with a black and white cover featuring an abstract drawing. The Pocket Poets Series number should be mentioned on the back. It should state that it is part of the first printing along with 'the City Lights Pocket Poets Series' on the spine.