The Sonnets. (Editor: Ron Padgett)

(N. Y.): Lorenz & Ellen Gude, 1964. First edition of Berrigan's first more or less regularly published book. Limited to 300 numbered copies "plus an unspecified number of unnumbered copies", edited by Ron Padgett, who also typed the stencils for the edition; this copy out of series. Fischer p. 24. The Sonnets was preceded only by the impossibly rare pamphlet, A Lily For My Love (Providence: 1959), a small collection of sentimental love poems which Berrigan published on a return visit to his home town, the cost of the printing in part defrayed by "the guys in the neighborhood bar." Berrigan later destroyed virtually the entire edition, saving one copy for himself. Fischer pp. 23-24. [Please be advised that Berrigan's inestimable bibliographer sorely lacks a copy.] Berrigan, widely regarded as the central figure in the Second Generation of the New York School of Poets, might as accurately be considered one of the integral figures of the Tulsa School of Poets, a group which also included Ron Padgett, Joe Brainard, and Dick Gallup, who, after their Exodus to New York City, led by Padgett, who enrolled at Columbia University as a freshman in 1959, adopted and expanded upon the poetic practices of their predecessors. Some light use, couple small spots of discoloration toward spine portion of front wrapper and at top edge of first two leaves, otherwise a near fine copy lacking the back wrapper, as usual. (BRAINARD, Joe).. 4to, mimeographed sheets stapled together, cover by Joe Brainard. Some light use, couple small spots of discoloration toward spine portion of front wrapper and at top edge of first two leaves, otherwise a near fine copy lacking the back wrapper, as usual.