Books

n.p. / San Francisco: Fantasy / City Lights Bookshop, 1959. First Edition. Fine- / Fine-. First Pressing of this 33 1/3 rpm (12-inch) LP phonograph record (numbered 7006 on sleeve and vinyl), on which the poet recites (screams, begs, urges) "Howl" and other poems. Transparent red vinyl (not the later, more common black vinyl) with burgundy labels, plain paper slip, and original card sleeve printed in green, orange, and black. Stamped in red: "Promotional Copy / Not for Sale" on rear of sleeve, with ownership of poet John Ciardi faintly stamped on upper right corner of front and neat blue ball-point notes to rear, probably in Ciardi's hand, commenting on the readings (Ginsberg recites "Howl," "The Sunflower Sutra," "Footnote to Howl," "A Supermarket in California," "Transcription of Organ Music," "America," "In the Back of the Real," "Strange New Cottage in Berkeley," "Europe! Europe!," and "Kaddish."). Long printed introduction by Ginsberg on rear sleeve.…

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.