Rare Early Allen Ginsberg Typescript Poem, Hand Annotated

Draft Typescript Signed, "Allen Ginsberg", 2pp, 8.5" x 11", New York City, New York, June 8, 1960. At top left Ginsberg adds below his signature: "170 E 2 St Apt 16 / NYC / NY". At top right he notes: "This is a penultimate version". Ginsberg also makes several corrections and annotations in hand throughout the draft. Flattened folds with a staple at top left corner. Toning, soiling and and scattered foxing. Small area of dampstaining at top left of second page. In overall very good plus condition. 

This evocative piece is from Ginsberg's time in South America. During Ginsberg's visit to Pucallpa, Peru, he drank the plant-based psychedelic ayahuasca. It had an extremely powerful effect on him, and he recorded his visions in his journal. These notes would ultimately become his long poem, "Magic Psalm", which was published in February 1961 by the City Lights Bookstore in Kaddish and Other Poems. Almost all of the extensive handwritten corrections that he made in this "penultimate version" were incorporated into the final printed text.

Manuscripts from Ginsberg's early collection are rare. This draft was later given to fellow Beat Generation poet and essayist Gary Snyder (b.1930), to whom Ginsberg dedicated another poem in Kaddish, "Laughing Gas". Snyder has added his signature in pencil at top right. 

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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