The Fall of America.
Poems of these states 1965-1971.
San Francisco: City Lights, 1972 Stock Code: 143357
First edition, first printing, presentation copy inscrutably inscribed on the title page, "Feb 4, 1973, Allen - Bold Tattle, What?! We'll all live to see what it means, happily! Allen Ginsberg". The title page also has the ownership inscription of the recipient, Allen de Zouch. The Fall of America was published as number 30 in City Lights's Pocket Poets series, and was dedicated to Walt Whitman. It includes a chapter of "Elegies for Neal Cassady" (the hero of Kerouac's On the Road) written in 1968. The title is not at all common with a presentation inscription close to the time of publication.
Future printings did not have a notice stating thus, and are difficult to distinguish. The first printing is distinguished by white wrappers printed with black type. The second printing of 1973 switched to white type on black wrappers; later printings raised the price to 3.
Description
Duodecimo. Original white wrappers, titles in black.
Condition
Ends and corners very slightly creased, a few trivial spots to fore-edge of front wrapper, excellent condition.
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