Journals Early Fifties Early Sixties. Signed by Allen Ginsberg. First Edition, First Printing. Grove Press. New York, 1977.

American poet and Buddhist Allen Ginsberg was one of the most beloved and well-connected artists of the twentieth century. He was an influential figure in the Beats Movement alongside William S. Burroughs and Jack Kerouac. He continued to be instrumental to counterculture movements into the 1960s, too, befriending artists like Ken Kesey, Bob Dylan, Hunter S. Thompson, and many others. He was also a prolific activist, speaking out against the Vietnam War, advocating for gay rights, and pushing for the decriminalization of marijuana. In this volume, Ginsberg provides his journals from crucial years in his artistic life. They recount formative periods in New York, Mexico, Berkeley, and elsewhere. The entries are candid about his artistic development and relationships. They reveal much about Ginsberg himself, but also the scenes and politics of the 1950s and 60s countercultural movements.

This first edition, first printing is signed by Ginsberg on the front free endpaper. It is in about-fine condition. In the original cloth, about-fine with only soiling to bottom edges. Text block about-fine, only tape residue to endpapers. In the original dust jacket, near-fine with only toning to edges.

An about-fine signed first edition by Allen Ginsberg.