THE SONNETS

[New York]: Lorenz & Ellen Gude, 1964. First edition. Very good.. Signed first edition of the definitive statement of the Second Generation of the New York School as well as Berrigan's most influential, popular, and lasting work, edited by Ron Padgett (who also typed the stencils). The only major American collection of the last fifty years to go through four separate editions, each at different publishers. From an edition of "300 plus an unspecified number of unnumbered copies" (Fischer p. 24), this is from the unnumbered series, estimated (by Berrigan himself; again see Fischer) to be about 100. Decidedly uncommon signed; this is the first we've handled. 11'' x 8.5''. Original side-stapled wrappers. Cover by Joe Brainard, offset duplicated; remainder mimeographed. With the usual toning, mild edgewear. Faint penned notation to top edge of front cover. Final leaf (colophon) loose. Lacking rear cover and terminal blank (as in many copies; we suspect many were issued this way). [66] leaves mimeographed rectos only; last leaf detached from staples. Signed by Berrigan to title page.