Typescript Bomb by Corso Gregory, Signed (1 results)

A typescript, signed by the author, of Corso's early and best-known poem, one of the earliest Western literary works about the nuclear bomb. This example is from the estate of Kirby Congdon, Corso's agent. Corso typed out a handful of copies of 'Bomb' for friends prior to publication; one other example appeared at Christie's New York in 2002, typed by Corso on Paris Review headed stationary, signed and with the same address at 9 Rue Git Le Coeur. This was the famous "Beat Hotel", so dubbed by Corso himself. Bomb, printed in the shape of a mushroom cloud, was published as a broadside by City Lights in 1958. In an ironic turn, Corso was at the time in a relationship with Belle Carpenter, a descendent of the DuPont family, whose company manufactured the atomic bomb: "her family made the atom bomb, and I wrote the 'Bomb' poem. See the combine?" (Corso quoted by Knight, p. 182). Arthur & Kit Knight, The Beat Vision, 1987. Four onionskin paper leaves (267 x 203 mm), top copy typed one side only in red ink, stapled top left, typed address "Gregory Corso 9 Rue Git Le Coeur Paris". Housed in a contemporary brown card folder, titled in manuscript in a different hand to Corso's, "Film - Corso / Socin". Housed in a red quarter morocco solander box by the Chelsea Bindery. Toned and creased, stain to inner margin, two small chips, not affecting text: a pleasing survival.