"Scarce, with OCLC showing only two institutional holdings." So touts a rare book dealer in marketing Blitz, a mimeo mag out of La Grande, Oregon from 1964-1966, edited by Mel Buffington and Bobby Watson. I am not going to lie, information on Blitz is scarce. According to Christopher Harter's Index, there were three issues. From what I can gather the magazine initiated out of a university campus like so many mimeos of the period. In this case, the campus in question is Eastern Oregon University.
I have been collecting for over 20 years and I must admit that bookseller references to the OCLC always confuse me. What does the above reference to two institutional holdings mean? It does not refer to Blitz #1 or #2 as those issues are in multiple institutions. It must mean the complete run. The University of Colorado - Boulder and University of Wisconsin - Madison have the run. Most other institutions do not even acknowledge the existence of Blitz #3. Strangely, Utah State has just Blitz #3, in its Charles Potts Collection.
Blitz #1 and #2 have Bukowski appearances so they will never be impossible to obtain. By 1964-1965, Bukowski was already collectible, so I am sure issues are sitting around in personal libraries, to say nothing of the almost 20 institutions that have Blitz #1 and/or Blitz #2. Furthermore, Allen Ginsberg and da levy appear in Blitz #2. Again two highly collectible poets. Collectors and institutions were following Ginberg's every move by 1965.
Clearly Blitz #3 is the "scarce" issue, with a possible shift in editorship as Jan Kepley becomes involved. If a complete run is in only two institutional holdings, then say so. Do not imply that Blitz #1 and Blitz #2 are completely off the radar of institutions and collectors. True rarity is a truly rare thing. As it should be.
JB
MIMEO MIMEO #8: CURATORS' CHOICE features 16 bibliophiles on 6 highlights from their personal or institutional collections. Contributors include Steve Clay, Wendy Burk, Tony White, Brian Cassidy, Thurston Moore, J.A. Lee, Michelle Strizever, Adam Davis, Michael Basinski, Joseph Newland, Alastair Johnston, Tate Shaw, Michael Kasper, Steve Woodall, Molly Schwartzberg, Nancy Kuhl, James Maynard, and the Utah posse (Becky Thomas, Marnie Powers-Torrey, Craig Dworkin, Emily Tipps, Luise Poulton, & David Wolske)
MIMEO MIMEO #7: THE LEWIS WARSH ISSUE is the first magazine ever devoted in its entirety to poet, novelist, publisher, teacher, and collage artist Lewis Warsh. Warsh was born in 1944 in the Bronx, co-founded Angel Hair Magazine and Books with Anne Waldman in 1966, and went on to co-found United Artists Magazine and Books with Bernadette Mayer in 1977. He is the author of over thirty books of poetry, fiction and autobiography, the Director of the MFA program in Creative Writing at Long Island University in Brooklyn, and as you’ll soon discover, so much more. Includes an introduction by Daniel Kane, an interview conducted by Steve Clay, 10 new stories, 5 new poems, dozens of photographs and collages, and an anecdotal bibliography.
OUT OF PRINT
MIMEO MIMEO #6: THE POETRY ISSUE is devoted to new work by eight poets who have consistently composed quality writing that has influenced and inspired generations since the golden era of the mimeo revolution. Contributors include Bill Berkson, John Godfrey, Ted Greenwald, Joanne Kyger, Kit Robinson, Rosmarie Waldrop, Lewis Warsh, and Geoffrey Young. Cover art by George Schneeman.
OUT OF PRINT
MIMEO MIMEO #3: THE DANNY SNELSON ISSUE examines the relationship between structuralism and the poetries of the mimeo era by presenting a detailed analysis of Form (a Cambridge-UK magazine published in 1966) and Alcheringa (a journal published by Boston University in 1975), two exemplary gatherings that illuminate the historical, material and social circumstances under which theory informed art (and vice versa) in the early works of some of today's most celebrated experimental writers. Also includes a special insert, The Infernal Method, written, designed and printed by Aaron Cohick (NewLights Press).
OUT OF PRINT
MIMEO MIMEO #2: features Emily McVarish on her artist's book Flicker; James Maynard on poet Robert Duncan's early experiences as an editor and typesetter; Derek Beaulieu on the relationship between the influential Canadian poetry journal Tish and Black Mountain College; and an extensive interview with Australian poet and typographer Alan Loney conducted by Kyle Schlesinger. Cover is by Emily McVarish.
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