ILLUMINATED POEMS, BOLDLY INSCRIBED BY ALLEN GINSBERG IN THE YEAR OF PUBLICATION, BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED BY AWARD-WINNING ARTIST ERIC DROOKER

(DROOKER, Eric) GINSBERG, Allen. Illuminated Poems. New York and London: Four Walls Eight Windows, (1996). Quarto, original pictorial wrappers. $650.

First edition, first printing, very elusive wrappers issue, inscribed on the half title by Ginsberg in the year of publication, "For R— K— Allen Ginsberg 9/20/96" with his characteristic circled symbol of "AH," featuring 34 poems by Ginsberg, including Howl in its entirety, along with two poems published for the first time, richly illustrated by artist Eric Drooker, many full-page and in color.

This exceptional volume of 34 poems features two poems never before published, America Again and Confession Is Dream for the Soul. Ginsberg writes herein of long admiring the work of New York artist Eric Drooker, noting their collaboration on Illuminated Poems "began as byproduct of an illustration of my poem The Lion For Real [included herein] for his St. Mark's Poetry Project New Year's Day 1993 Benefit poster." Here Eric Drooker, whose works often appear on New Yorker covers, dramatically and movingly illustrates such famous Ginsberg works as Howl and Sunflower Sutra. Drooker also designed the animation for the 2010 film, Howl, based on Ginsberg's epic poem. On publication, Illuminated Poems was hailed as featuring "some of the best work of Drooker's career" (Comics Journal). Copyright page with "First printing April 1996." Issued the same year as the cloth trade edition, no priority established. Preceded by the signed limited edition of 300 copies. With Introduction by Ginsberg; Prologue by Drooker.

A splendid inscribed copy in fine condition.