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Inventory of the papers of Diane di Prima, 1934-1992
klgsc80k Inventory of the papers of Diane di Prima, 1934-1992 Special Collections University of Louisville Ekstrom Library Louisville, Kentucky 40292 USA Phone: (502) 852-6752 Fax: (502) 852-8734 Email: Special.Collections@louisville.edu URL: http://louisville.edu/library/ekstrom/special/ University of Louisville Ekstrom Library Special Collections Text converted and initial EAD tagging provided by Apex Data Services, ENG Inventory of the papers of Diane di Prima, 1934-1992 Contact Information Special Collections University of Louisville Ekstrom Library Louisville, Kentucky 40292 Phone: (502) 852-6752 Fax: (502) 852-8734 Email: Special.Collections@louisville.edu URL: http://louisville.edu/library/ekstrom/special/ Processed by: Staff Date Completed: July 1995 Encoded by: Apex Data Services Copyright 2000 University of Louisville. All Rights Reserved. Prima (Diana di) papers, 1934-1992 Rare Books 35B Di Prima, Diane, 1934- 9.5 linear feet University of Louisville Special Collections Louisville, Kentucky 40292 USA Open to researchers The copyright interests in the Diane di Prima Papers, 1934-1992 have not been transferred to the University of Louisville. For further information, see the section on copyright in the regulations and Procedures of the Special Collections Library or consult a reference archivist. [Identification of item], Diane di Prima Papers, 1934-1992, Rare Books 35B, University Archives and Records Center, University of Louisville, Louisville. Diane di Prima, feminist writer, poet, and teacher, was born in Brooklyn, New York, on August 6, 1934. Di Prima is the eldest child and only daughter of Francis and Emma di Prima, who were college-educated, middle-class Italian-Americans. Di Prima has two younger brothers, Frank (born November 6, 1937) and Richard (born September 19, 1941) who followed more traditional career paths, becoming an attorney and the owner of an educational electronics firm, respectively. Diane di Prima graduated from the college preparatory program at Hunter College High School, an elite public school for girls in New York City, where she worked on the editorial board of the school paper, Scribimus. She then attended Swarthmore College for two years. She left college in 1953 to live in Manhattan with her lovers and to write fulltime. While living in Greenwich Village, di Prima became part of the Bohemian intellectual culture: well-educated, white, middle-class individuals who rejected middle-class values, choosing a rebellious life-style which included sexual freedom and the use of drugs. Di Prima began a correspondence with the poet Ezra Pound, visiting him daily for two weeks in 1955 at St. Elizabeth's Hospital, in Washington, D.C., where he was hospitalized. Di Prima continued to write and was associated with such "Beat Poets" as Le Roi Jones (Imanu Amari Baraka), Allen Ginsberg, Audre Lord, and Jack Kerouac. Together with Jones, she edited The Floating Bear, an influential underground newsletter of Greenwich Village, from 1961-1969. In 1958 This Kind of Bird Flies Backwards, her first book of poetry, was published, followed in 1960 by Dinners and Nightmares, her first published book of short stories. In 1961 she helped to organize the New York Poets Theatre with Jones, Fred Herko, James Waring and Alan Marlowe. She also helped establish the Poets Press with Kerouac, McClure, Ginsberg, and Lord. She moved to Monroe, New York, in 1965, and then to Kerhonkson, New York, and Millbrook, New York, (Timothy Leary's experimental community) in 1966. In 1967 she traveled around the United States doing poetry readings. She headed for San Francisco in 1968 to work with the "Diggers" distributing free food. She also took up the study of Zen Buddhism and the occult. Di Prima has taught poetry at the New College of California, in San Francisco; the NAROPA Institute (the Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics) in Boulder, Colorado; and the Poetry-in-the-Schools Program of the National Endowment for the Arts. She has also served as an instructor in Tarot reading and the art of healing as a member of the San Francisco Institute of the Magical and Healing Arts. Claiming to be most strongly influenced by poets John Keats, Ezra Pound, and Dylan Thomas, di Prima is widely published, including such works as The Calculus of Variation (1972), Dinners and Nightmares (1961, 1974), Loba, Parts I-VIII (1978), Memoirs of a Beatnik (1969, 1988), Pieces of a Song: Selected Poems (1990), Revolutionary Letters (1968, 1969, 1971), Selected Poems, 1956-76 (1975), and Seminary Poems (1991). She has also contributed to and edited various anthologies of poetry, as well as translating medieval Latin into English in Seven Love Poems from the Middle Latin (1965, 1967). Her plays include: The Discontent of the Russian Prince, Discovery of America, Like, Murder Cake, and Whale Honey. He work has been translated into more than eight languages and four of her plays have been produced off-Broadway. Besides being a co-founder of The Floating Bear, the Poets Theatre and the Poets Press, di Prima helped to organize The Gold Circle with other artists in 1978, and the San Francisco Institute of Magical and Healing Arts (with Janet Carter, Carl Grundberg, and Sheppard Powell) in 1983, and is the founder of Eidolon Editions (1972) and The Poets Institute (1976). Diane di Prima was married in 1962 to writer Alan Marlowe (divorced 1969) and in 1972 to Grant Fisher (divorced 1975.) She is the mother of five children: Jeanne (born October 28, 1957), Dominique (born June 4, 1962), Alexander (August 12, 1963), Tara (December 23, 1967), and Rudra (September 17, 1971). The University of Louisville purchased various collections of papers belonging to feminist poet and writer Diane di Prima from the Phoenix Book Store in New York City, in four separate acquisitions made in 1966, 1967, and 1968. Negotiations for later acquisitions were made by telephone and were not documented. The papers in the collection date from 1934 to 1992, beginning with ephemera from di Prima's childhood. The bulk of the 9.5 linear foot collection, which is divided into eight series, is correspondence and literary productions, but even those series are incomplete. Apparently di Prima sold some of her notebooks and other papers over the years. These materials are in the hands of various collectors and repositories, including the Lilly Library at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, and Southern Illinois University, in Carbondale, Illinois. It is also likely that papers were lost during her many moves and due to her sometimes nomadic lifestyle. Even with these gaps, this collection significantly documents the life of this prolific and important twentieth century writer. Publications of Diane Di Prima "Alba, for a Dark Year." War Poems. New York: Poets Press, 1968. "April Fool Birthday Poem for Grandpa." The Dream Book and No More Masks! "Arches." [1976]. "Astrological Speculations of the Chaldeans." The Sun Sets on Sunbonnet Sue. 1983. "Awkward Song on the Eve of War." The City, August 1991. "Bacchanale." July 1967. "Backyard." The Dream Book. "Blackout." Beat Coast East. Stanley Fisher, ed. New York: Excelsior Press, 1960. The Book of Hours. San Francisco: Brownstone Press, 1970. (Poetry) "Brass Furnace Going Out: Song, After an Abortion." Syracuse, NY: Pulpartforms-Intrepid Press, 1975. (Poetry) "Brief Wyoming Meditation," in A Gathering of Poets. The Calculus of Variation. San Francisco: Di Prima, 1972. (Prose) see also Ekstrom Stacks PS 3507.I68 C34 1972 "A Couple of Weekends." "The Dentist from L.A." The Sun Sets on Sunbonnet Sue. 1983. Dinners and Nightmares. New York: Corinth Books, 1961; revised, 1974. (Short stories)see also Ekstrom Bingham Poetry Room PS 3507.I68 D5 The Discontent of the Russian Prince. Produced in New York, 1961, 1991. (Play) The Discovery of America. Produced in New York, 1972, 1991. (Play) Earthsong; Poems, 1957-1959. New York: Poets Press, 1968. (Poetry)see also Ekstrom Bingham Poetry Room PS 3507.I68 E2 "The Ethic of Sidney McCosh." The Dodo: Swarthmore College Magazine, Spring 1951. "Evolution of Landscape," [1979]. "The Fires of Beltane," Harbin Quarterly, Spring 1992. "For Blake," Santa Barbara, CA: Unicorn Press Poetry Post Card, Series 3, #4, 1971. Freddie Poems. Point Reyes, CA: Eidolon Editions, 1974. (Poetry) "Goodbye Nkrumah," War Poems. New York: Poets Press, 1968. Haiku. Los Angeles: Love Press, 1966. (Poetry) Hotel Albert. New York City: Poets Press, 1968. (Poetry) "How Shall I Win You to Me?" Toothpaste Press for Bookslinger, 1980. "I Feel Myself Fade." Denver: Croupier Press, Poetry Card Series #3, 1969. Kerhonkson Journal. Berkeley, CA: Oyez, 1971. (Poetry)see also Ekstrom Bingham Poetry Room PS 3507.I68 K4 Lapis. 1980. (Play) L.A. Odyssey. San Francisco: Poets Press, 1969. (Poetry) "Letter to Jeanne (at Tassajara)." The Dream Book. Like. New York: The American Theatre for Poets, 1960; Coffee House Press, 1991. Produced in New York, 1964. (Play) "Like Wind." Detroit: Alternative Press, Postcard, circa 1972. Loba, As Eve. New York: The Phoenix Book Shop, 1975. (Poetry) Loba, Part I. Santa Barbara, CA: Capra Press, 1973. (Poetry) Loba, Part II. Point Reyes, CA: Eidolon, 1976. (Poetry) Loba: Parts I-VIII. Berkeley, CA: Wingbow Press, 1978. (Poetry) "Love Pomes," [ sic] Naked Ear, No. 11. "Lullaby." The Dream Book. "Marriage." The Dream Book. The Mask is the Path of the Star. Louisville, KY: White Fields Press, 1993. (Poetry) "The Masque of...." Long News: In the Short Century, vol. 1, 1991. "Memories of Childhood," Liberation, 2(December 1957). Memoirs of a Beatnik. New York: Olympia Press, 1969; reprint San Francisco: Last Gasp of San Francisco, 1988. (Novel)see also Ekstrom Stacks PS 3507.I68 M4 1988 "Minnesota Morning Ode." The Dream Book. Monuments: 8 Monologues. Produced in New York, 1968. (Play) Murder Cake. Produced in New York, 1963. (Play) "Narrow Path into the Back Country," in No More Masks! New As.... Privately printed, 1969. (Play) The New Handbook of Heaven. San Francisco: Auerhahn Press, 1963. (Poetry) New Mexico Poem, June-July 1967. New York: Roodenko, 1968. (Poetry) "New York Poems." Poetry New York, 1992 "Notes on the Summer Solstice." Privately printed, 1969. (Other) Paideuma. Produced in New York, Living Theatre, 1960; Coffee Trees Press, 1991. (Play) "Paraclesus." 1983. "Peter Hartman's Sequence." Archetype West and Point Reyes Printing Co., 1992. Pieces of a Song: Selected Poems. San Francisco: City Light Books, 1990. (Poetry)see also Ekstrom Bingham Poetry Room PS 3507.I68 P5 1990 "Poem in Praise of my Husband," in No More Masks! Poems for Freddie. New York: Poets Press, 1966; as Freddie Poems, see above. "Poetry Festival 1981." Poets Paper, no. 5 (November 10, 1981). Poets Vaudeville. New York: Feed Folly Press, 1964 or 1966. Produced in New York, 1964. (Libretto) "Point of Ripeness." The Portuguese Albas of Meister Romeo. 1960s, 1970s. "Prayer to Mothers." Privately printed, 1971. (Poetry) "Prayer to the Mothers." The Dream Book. "The Quarrel," in No More Masks! Rain Fur. 1991. "Rant, from a Cool Place," War Poems. New York: Poets Press, 1968 "Recent Boring Literary Pastimes." Exquisite Corpse, 4(May-August 1986). Recollections of My Life as a Woman, drafts and manuscript "Redoubtably Ambiguous." The Sun Sets on Sunbonnet Sue. 1983 "Revolutionary Letter #19." Venceremos. "Revolutionary Letter #29." Venceremos. "Revolutionary Letter: June 12, 1982." Peace or Perish. Herman Berlandt and Neeli Cherkovski, eds., San Francisco: Poets for Peace, 1983. Revolutionary Letters, etc. New York: Communications, 1968; reprinted, San Francisco: City Light Books, 1971. (Poetry) Revolutionary Letters: Poems. London: Long Hair Books, 1969. (Poetry) "Rise of the Scientific Method from the Renaissance." "Role of the Hermetic in Poetry." Straits. Selected Poems, 1956-1976. Plainfield, VT: North Atlantic Books, 1975, revised 1977. (Poetry)see also Ekstrom Bingham Poetry Room PS 3507.I68 A6 1977 Seminary Poems. Point Reyes Station, CA: Floating Island Publications, 1991. (Poetry)see also Ekstrom Stacks PS 3507.I68 S4 1991 So Fine. Santa Barbara, CA: Yes Press, 1971. (Poetry) "Spontaneous Journal While Typesetting." Pearl, no. 12 (Summer-Fall 1991.) "Spring Thoughts for Freddie." Evergreen Review, 12(June 1968.) "The Star, the Child, the Light." Privately printed, 1968. (Poetry) "Swallow Sequence." Alpha Beat Soup, no. 4 (December 1988.) "Tara." The Sun Sets on Sunbonnet Sue. This Kind of Bird Flies Backward. New York: Totem Press, 1958. (Poetry)see also Ekstrom Bingham Poetry Room PS 3507.I68 T48 "To My Father." The Dream Book. "To the Patriarchs." Earth's Daughters, Winter 1977. "To the Unknown Buddhist Nun Who Burned Herself to Death on the Night of June 3, 1966." War Poems. New York: Poets Press, 1968. "Two from One." Soup, 1980. Steve Abbott, ed., San Francisco: 1980 Whale Honey. Produced in San Francisco, 1975; New York, 1976. (Play) "What Do Frogs Say?" 1950s Zip Code. Minneapolis: Coffee House Press, 1992. (Play) Edited by Diane Di Prima The Floating Bear: A Newsletter, Numbers 1-37. La Jolla, CA: Laurence McGilvery, 1973. Various Fables from Various Places. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1960. War Poems. New York: Poets Press, 1968.see also Ekstrom Bingham Poetry Room PN 6110.W28 D5 Translated by Diane Di Prima Genet, Jean. The Man Condemned to Death. New York: Poets Press, 1963. Seven Love Poems from the Middle Latin. New York: Poets Press, 1965, 1967.see also Ekstrom Stacks PA 8122.D5 Anthologies and Other Sources of Diane Di Prima Poetry Alpha Beat Soup. No.4 (December 1988). "Swallow Sequence." Beat Coast East. Stanley Fisher, ed. New York: Excelsior Press, 1960. "Blackout." The City. (August 1991). "Awkward Song on the Eve of War." The Dodd, Swarthmore College Magazine. (Spring 1952). "Ethic of Sidney McCosh." The Dream Book: An Anthology of Writings by Italian American Women. Helen Barolini, ed. New York: Schocken Books, 1987. "Lullaby," "Marriage," "Letter to Jeanne (at Tassajara)," "To My Father," "Prayer to the Mother," "Backyard," "April Fool Birthday Poem for Grandpa," and "Minnesota Morning Ode." Earth's Daughters, No. 7 (Winter, 1977). "To the Patriarchs." Evergreen Review. No. 55 (June 1968). "Spring Thoughts for Freddie." Exquisite Corpse. 4 (May-August 1986). "Recent Boring Literary Pastimes." The Floating Bear. Bound vols. 1-37, La Jolla: Laurence McGilvery, 1973. A Gathering of Poets, Maggie Anderson & Alex Gildzen, eds. Kent, OH: Kent State University Press, 1992. "Brief Wyoming Meditation." Harbin Quarterly. Spring 1992, "The Fires of Beltane." Horoskop Orloje. Czech anthology with section by DiPrima. Howl. January 24, 1990 and September 1991. Liberation. 2 (December 1957). "Memories of Childhood." Long News: In the Short Century. 1 (1991). "The Masque of...." The Naked Ear. No. 11 (n.d.). "Love Pomes" [ sic]. No More Masks! An Anthology of Poems by Women, Florence Howe and Ellen Bass, eds. Garden City, NY: Anchor Press, 1973. "April Fool Birthday Poem for Grandpa," "Narrow Path into the Back Country," "Poem in Praise of my Husband," and "The Quarrel." Peace or Perish. Herman Berlandt and Neeli Cherkovski, eds. San Francisco: Poets for Peace, 1983. "Revolutionary Letter: June 12, 1982." Pearl. No. 12 (Summer-Fall 1991). "Spontaneous Journal While Typesetting." Poetry New York: A Journal of Poetry and Translation. No. 4 (Winter 1991/Spring 1992). "New York Poems." The Poets Paper. No. 5 (November 10, 1981). "Poetry Festival 1981." Scribimus. (Newsletter of Hunter High School) 1949-1951. Contains several works by di Prima. Soup. 1980. "Two from One." Straits: Newsletter of the Detroit River Press. 1 (September 1982). "Role of the Hermetic in Poetry." The Sun Sets on Sunbonnet Sue. 1983. "Astrological Speculations of the Chaldeans," "The Dentist from L.A.," "Redoubtably Ambiguous," "Tara." War Poems. New York: Poets Press, Inc., 1968. "Alba, for a Dark Year," "Goodbye Nkrumah," "Rant, from a Cool Place," "To the Unknown Buddhist Nun Who Burned Herself to Death on the Night of June 3, 1966." Correspondents AJAX Dr. Ferdinando Alfonsi Donald Allen (editor of New American Poetry, 1960, and The Post Moderns) Ed Almanza Alvarado School (Janet E. Carter) Karen Ande Mayatri Aron (Women's Party for Survival) Arete: Forum for Thought (Doug Balding, editor) Associated Students of Stanford University Speakers Bureau Auerhahn Press (Dave Haselwood and Andrew Hoyem) Jane Augustine "Baba" Bruce Axelrod Matt Baldwin Bartholomew (see Leland Williams) Helen Bartolini (Chappaqua Library, Chappaque, New York) Sabra Basler Bay Area Comprehensive Test Ban Coalition Maria Beatty Diana Bellessi Carol Biondi (cousin) Elle M. Biondi (maternal aunt) Lucia Birnbaum Black Ace Books Black Oak Books Book Cafe (Capitola, California) Boston College re: Warhol Project (see Reva Wolf) Mike Boughn (Shuffaloff Press) Sandra Braman Bridge Conference (San Francisco, 1991) Douglas Brinkley (Hofstra University) Hanna Budan Bumber Shoot! (see Judith Roche) Dean Burrell (see Harper San Francisco) Bruce Burgess Ronnie Burk CACTUS, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Action Campaign for the United States, (Joan Sutherland) California Student Aid Commission Addie and Bill Calise Janine Canan Judith Cantera David Carson (Creator of "Medicine Cards") Janet Carter Alice K. Charap Ann Charters (editor of The Portable Beat Reader) (Viking Penquin) Laura Chester City Light Books (Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Nancy Peters, Bob Sharrard) Jack and Cass Clarke Barbara Collier Julia Connor Contact Quarterly (see Nancy Stark Smith) Corinth Books (see Ted Wilentz) Robert Creeley Martha Crook Rachel Guido de Vries (see Guido de Vries) Dilluvian Book Shop (Todd Pratum) Dominique Di Prima Frank and Weezie Di Prima Jeanne Di Prima Richard and Judith Di Prima Amy Doherty Nathaniel Dorsky Jill Duerr Earth Prayers Suzanne Edminster George Elyjiw Verna Emery (see Purdue University Press) Exit Zero (Student Union for Ethnic Inclusion [SUEI] at the Naropa Institute) Marianne Faithfull Candace Falk (Director, The Emma Goldman Papers, University of California, Berkeley) Lawrence Ferlinghetti (see City Light Books) The Fintry Trust Floating Island Publications (Michael Sykes) Mary Ann Flood Jack Foley Mary Fowler Eric Francis Michael Fritz Re: From the Margin: Writings in Italian Americana (Fred L. Gardaphe, Anthony J. Tamburri) Nancy Gagnon Fred L Gardaphe (see Purdue University Press) Gateway Property Management Daniel Gautier Genentech, Inc. Ruth Ghio Maria Mazziotti Gillan (see Poetry Center at Passaic Community College, Patterson, New Jersey) Mary Gilliland Allen Ginsburg (Bob Rosenthal) Paolo A. Giordano (see Purdue University Press) Ian Grand Carl and Jill Grundberg (SIMHA) Rachel Guido de Vries Marsha Dale Gurrell Mary Jean Haley Steven Halpern Harper San Francisco (Dean Burrell) Zoe Harris Peter Hartman Rose Hass (see Tenth Avenue Editions) Zoe Harris Matt. Haug D.R. Hazelton (see Synapse) Suzanne Head Lyn Hejinian Angelina Hekking Barbara Henning ( Long News) George Herms Anne Hietbrink Howl (William Perkins) R. Hunter Instituto Italiano di Cultura Valerie Jacobs Susan Janssen Lisa Jarnot Brian Jeffrey Joyce Jenkins Kent Johnson (see Shambala Publications) Ronald Johnson Terese Jungle (see SOMA) Howard Junker Jean Kennedy Burt Kimmelman Barri and Steve Klingaman Willow Konetz (Santa Fe Actor's Theater) Mary Norbent Korte James Laughlin (see New Directions) Deborah Lawlor M. Lazar Rodrigo Garcia Lopes Leonardo Losito Helen Luster Dennis Maloney (see White Pine Press) Elsa Marley Richard Marley Alan Marlowe Charity Martin Dick Martin Harriet Matter-Jones Michael J. Mayo (Seismograph Publications) Larry McGilvery Duncan McNaugton Betty D. Meador Deena Metzger Carole Migden James Oliver Mitchell Tony Moffert Maureen Murdock Mother Jones (Peggy Orenstein and Marsha Sessa) Billy Name James Naiden (see Northstone Review) NAROPA Institute National Poetry Award Board (Tom Parkinson) New College of California New Directions (James Laughlin) Gerry Nicosia Susan Noel Northstone Review (James Naiden, editor) Julie Novak Mr. and Mrs. Nunley The Ojai Foundation Ronald J. Olivia Pearl Olson Tillie Olsen Peggy Orenstein (see Mother Jones) Paragon House Publishers Tom Parkinson (see National Poetry Award Board) Cameron Parsons Louis Patler Craig Paulenich (see Shambhala Publications) William Perkins (see Howl) Ellen Peskin Nancy J. Peters (see City Light Books) The Poetry Center at Passaic Community College, Paterson, New Jersey (Maria Mazziotti Gillan) The Poetry Center, San Francisco State University The Poetry Project Poets and Writers Poets for Peace Charles Ponce Sheppard Powell Holly Prado Rosard Prem Purdue University Press (see also re: From the Margin) Yvonne Rand Diane Rapton Bernie Rauscher Refuse and Resist Rivendell School River Styx Randy Roark Judith Roche (Bumber Shoot!) Renee Rodin Marcia Rogers Bob Rosenthal (see Allen Ginsburg) Ross Hospital Dora Rossi Bill S. Meredith Sabini Bob Salzman Ed Sanders San Francisco Bay Area Book Festival San Francisco Board of Education San Francisco Institute for the Magical and Healing Arts (SIMHA) San Francisco Unified School District Santa Barbara Arts Council Santa Fe Actor's Threater (see William Konetz) Ilka Scobie Scott, Foresman & Co. Raul Santiago Sebazco Marsha Sessa (see Mother Jones) Shamblala Publications (Kent Johnson, Craig Paulenich, Peter Turner) Bob Sharrard (see City Lights Books) David Short Connie Smith Siegal Nancy Stark Smith ( Contact Quarterly) Gary Snyder Carl Solomon SOMA (Terese Jungle) Station Hill Press (George Quasha) Gregory Stephenson Dodie Stewart Colleen Strohm Laura Anna Stortoni Kimi Sugiolea Amber Coverdale Sumrall Alan Sussex Joan Sutherland (see CACTUS) Michael Sykes (see Floating Island Publications) Synapse (D.R. Hazelton) Anthony Julian Tamburri (see re: From the Margin) Taos Poetry Circus Taos Review Jane Taylor Tenth Avenue Editions (Rose Hass) Gudrun Thompson Scott Thompson Joan Thornton Penel Thronson Tibet Fund (Mark Rappaport) Todd Pratum Books Peter Turner (see Shambala Publications) University of California at Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive Urbanus & Raizirr Vajradhatu Ed Vanaelstyn Jean-Claude Van Itallie Viking Penquin (see Ann Charters) Robert Viscusi Hunce Voelcker Dolphin Waletsky Larry Wallrich Watershed Foundation Zoe Walter James White White Pine Press (Dennis Maloney) Ted Wilentz (Corinth Books) Leland Williams (Bartholomew) Robert Wilson Wingbow Press (Randy Fingland) Reva Wolf (Boston College re: Warhol Project) Women's Alliance (see Charlotte Kelly) Will Wroth Container List 1: Correspondence This series, one of the largest in the collection, dates from di Prima's college years (1951-1953) through 1992. Incoming correspondence, arranged alphabetically, covers a wide range of topics, some personal and some professional. There are many single pieces of correspondence such as postcards and greeting cards from di Prima's friends, acquaintances, and colleagues. This finding aid includes a complete list of incoming correspondents. The majority of the outgoing correspondence, arranged chronologically, is of later vintage (from 1980) although there is a significant number of letters to di Prima's parents during her college years through 1981. (2.25 linear feet), Boxes 1-5 Incoming 1 1. Unidentified, 1984-1990 1 2. A, 1980-1992 1 3. Auerhahn Press, 1961-1963 1 4. Jane Augustine, 1990-1992 1 5. "Baba" Bruce Axelrod, 1988-1989 1 6. B, 1990-1992 1 7. Helen Bartolini, 1984-1985 1 8. Diana Bellessi, n.d. 1 9. Elle M. Biondi, 1991 1 10. Lucia Birnbaum, 1991-1992 1 11. Mike Boughn (Shuffaloff Press), 1991 [RESTRICTED] 1 12. Ronnie Burk, 1991-1992 1 13. C, 1983-1991 1 14. David Carson, 1988-1991 1 15. Ann Charters (Viking Penguin), 1990-1992 1 16. Laura Chester, 1990-1991 1 17. City Light Books (Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Nancy Peters, Bob Sharrard), 1972-1992 1 18. Jack and Cass Clarke, 1990 1 19. Julia Connor, 1984-1992 1 20. Martha Crook, 1991 1 21. D, 1984-1991 1 22. Frank and Weezie di Prima, 1991 1 23. Jeanne di Prima, 1991-1992 1 24. Richard and Judith di Prima, 1976, 1989 2 1. E, 1985 2 2. F, 1987-1992 2 3. Floating Island Publications (Michael Sykes), 1990-1992 2 4. Jack Foley 2 5. Re: From the Margin: Writings in Italian Americana, 1987-1990 2 6. G, 1982-1992 2 7. Ruth Ghio, 1991-1992 2 8. Carl and Jill Grundberg, 1988-1992 2 9. Rachel Guido deVries, 1989-1991 2 10. H, 1985-1991 2 11. Angelina Hekking, 1984-1991 2 12. Barbara Henning ( Long News), 1990-1991 2 13. Howl (William Perkins), 1992 2 14. Instituto Italiano di Cultura, 1992 2 15. J, 1989-1991 2 16. Valerie Jacobs, 1991 2 17. K, 1985-1992 2 18. Burt Kimmelman (Poetry New York), 1990-1992 2 19. William Konetz (Santa Fe Actor's Theater), 1989-1991 2 20. L, 1980-1990 2 21. M, 1973-1974; 1985-1991 2 22. Alan Marlowe, 1983-1991 2 23. Alan Marlowe to Mr. & Mrs. F. di Prima, 1965, 1969 2 24. Duncan McNaugton, 1985-1991 2 25. Betty D. Meador, 1981 2 26. Deena Metzger, 1991 2 27. James Oliver Mitchell, 1989-1991 2 28. Tony Moffert, 1991-1992 2 29. Mother Jones, 1992 2 30. N, 1984-1991 2 31. Regarding: National Poetry Award Board, 1985 2 32. New Directions, 1964 2 33. Gerry Nicosia, 1991 2 34. Mr. and Mrs. Nunley, 1980-1987 2 35. O, 1990 3 1. P, 1991-1992 3 2. Cameron Parsons, 1991 3 3. Louis Patler, 1980, 1986 3 4. R, 1990-1991 3 5. Yvonne Rand, 1991 3 6. Randy Roark, 1990-1992 3 7. Judith Roche (Bumber Shoot!), 1984-1991 3 8. Renee Rodin, 1991 3 9. Marcia Rogers, 1986 3 10. Dora Rossi, 1987-1991 3 11. S, 1965-1991 3 12. Meredith Sabini, 1991 3 13. Shamblala Publications, 1988-1992 3 14. David Short, 1989-1991, n.d. 3 15. Nancy Stark Smith, 1990-1991 3 16. Gary Snyder, 1990 3 17. Gregory Stephenson, 1990-1991 3 18. Laura Anna Stortoni, 1992 3 19. T, 1984-1992 3 20. U-V, 1988-1992 3 21. W, 1970-1991 3 22. Dolphin Waletsky, 1990-1991 3 23. James White, 1977-1979 3 24. Ted Wilentz, 1961-1991 3 25. Leland Williams, 1990-1991 3 26. Robert Wilson, 1990-1991 3 27. Wingbow Press (Randy Fingland) 3 28. Reva Wolf (Boston College re: Warhol Project) Outgoing 4 1. Unsent 4 2. Unidentified and undated 4 3. Undated, to Francis and Emma di Prima 4 4. Undated, to Emma di Prima 4 5. 1951-1952, to Francis and Emma di Prima 4 6. 1960s 4 7. 1960s, To Francis and Emma di Prima 4 8. 1961, To Peter Hartman 4 9. 1964-1966, to John Wieners 4 10. 1968, to Alan Marlowe 4 11. 1970s 4 12. 1970s, to Emma di Prima 4 13. 1970s, to Emma di Prima 4 14. 1980s 5 1. 1980s, to Emma di Prima 5 2. 1988-1989, to Kent Johnson and Craig Paulenich 5 3. 1988-1990, to City Light Books 5 4. 1990 5 5. 1991 5 6. 1992 2: Diaries, journals, etc. Holograph notebooks from the 1950s and 1960s make up the bulk of this series. They begin in 1953 when di Prima left college to settle in New York City as a writer and end in 1968 when she moved to San Francisco. The remainder of the series consists of purse notebooks and engagement calendars from 1990 to 1992. (1 linear foot), Boxes 6-7 6 1. Notes 6 2. Holograph Notebook, January 1953-July 1954 6 3. Holograph Notebook, September-November 1956 6 4. Holograph Notebook, April-October 1959 6 5. Holograph Notebook, October 1959-January 1960 6 6. Holograph Notebook, January-March 1960 6 7. Holograph Notebook, March-July 1960 6 8. Holograph Notebook, July-November 1960 7 1. Holograph Notebook, Summer 1961 7 2. Holograph Notebook, June 1962 7 3. Holograph Notebook, November 1962-January 1963 7 4. Holograph Notebook, May 30, 1964 -? 7 5. Diary Fragment, May-June 1965 7 6. Holograph Notebook, Summer 1967-May 1968 7 7. Meeting notes (with Randy Roark), 1984 7 8. Engagement Calendar, 1991 7 9. Purse Notebook, 1990-1991 7 10. Purse Notebook, 1991-1992 7 11. Notebook, 1991 3: Literary Productions This large series is subdivided by type of literary output, beginning with articles, essays, interviews and lectures. The next subseries consists of books, other than poetry, followed by plays. The major subseries is poetry, filed alphabetically, in order of drafts, notes, and manuscripts of individual works. Published single works, published individually or in anthologies or other sources are also present. Next comes published and unpublished collections. The last two subseries are short stories and translations. (4.5 linear feet), Boxes 8-15, 19, loose Articles, Essays, and Interviews Drafts, notes, and other related material 8 1. Notes 2. Autobiographical (Resumes, biographies, interviews, etc.) 8 Autobiographical essay for Empire State College, 1970s 8 Interview in Taos Review, July 29, 1990 8 3. "Paracelsus: an Appreciation" 8 4. "Point of Ripeness," written for Harbin Quarterly 8 5. Notes and draft of essay on Pound's economics, 1955 8 6. "Rise of the Scientific Method from the Renaissance," notes 8 7. "Rise of the Scientific Method from the Renaissance," draft Published works 8. The Dodd: Swarthmore College Magazine, Spring 1952 8 "Ethic of Sidney McCosh" 9. Evergreen Review, No. 55, June 1968 8 "Spring Thoughts for Freddie" 10. Harbin Quarterly, Spring 1992 8 "The Fires of Beltane" 11. Intersection Newsletter, 10 (Spring 1980) 8 Interview 12. Pearl, no. 12 (Summer-Fall 1991) 8 "Spontaneous Journal While Typesetting" 13. Straits: Newsletter of the Detroit River Press, 1 (September, 1982) 8 "Role of the Hermetic in Poetry," Notes for Lecture, February 18 - Detroit (three copies) Books (other than poetry) 9 1. Memoirs of a Beatnik. New York: The Traveler's Companion, 1969 9 2. Memoirs of a Beatnik. New York: The Traveler's Companion, 1969 9 3. Memoirs of a Beatnik. San Francisco: Last Gasp Press, 1988 9 4. Recollections of My Life as A Woman, chapters 1-3, drafts 9 5. Recollections of My Life as A Woman, chapters 1-3, drafts 9 6. Recollections of My Life as A Woman, manuscript Plays 10 1. Notes and drafts 10 2. The Discontent of the Russian Prince, drafts, typescript, 1959 10 3. The Discontent of the Russian Prince, drafts, typescript, 1991 10 4. Discovery of America, typescript, 1970s 10 5. Discovery of America, draft, 1991 10 6. Lapis, 1980 (six copies) 10 7. Like, New York: The American Theatre For Poets, 1960 10 8. Like, typescript for Coffee House Press, 1991 10 9. Monuments: 8 Monologues, 1968 10 10. Monuments: 8 Monologues, 1972 10 11. Monuments: 8 Monologues, 1991 10 12. Murder Cake, drafts and performance copies, 1960s, 1991 10 13. Paideuma, typescript for Living Theatre 10 14. Paideuma, typescript for Coffee Trees Press, 1991 10 15. Poet's Vaudeville, (three copies) 10 16. Poet's Vaudeville, New York: Feed Folly Press, 1964 10 17. The Portuguese Albas of Meister Romeo, 1960s, 1970s 10 18. Rain Fur, carbon copy of original manuscript 10 19. Rain Fur, proofed typesetting copy, 1991 10 20. Whale Honey, drafts, manuscripts, 1962, 1975 10 21. Whale Honey, 1975 10 22. Whale Honey, 1991 10 23. Zipcode, typesetting, 1991 Poetry and Prose 10 Single works (Drafts, notes, manuscripts, and published works) 11 1. Notebook of childhood works 11 2. Typescript of untitled poem, 1952 11 3. Poems, 1957 11 4. Poems, [1957-1977] 11 5. Poems, November 1969 - January 1963 11 6. Poems, 1964-1967 11 7. Poems, 1966 11 8. Poems, 1967 11 9. Draft, "Dream Poem About Reagan," 1981 11 10. Drafts, written in response to the Gulf War, 1991 11 11. Draft, Poetry Journal, April/May 1992 11 12. "Bacchanale," July 1967 11 13. "Brass Furnace Going Out: Song, After An Abortion." New York: Intrepid Press, 1975 11 14. "For Blake," Santa Barbara: Unicorn Press Poetry Post Card, Series 3, #4, 1971 11 15. "How Shall I Win You to Me?" (Broadside) Toothpaste Press for Bookslinger, 1980 11 16. "I Feel Myself Fade," Denver: The Croupier Press, Poetry Card Series #3, 1969 11 17. "Like Wind." Detroit: Alternative Press. (Postcard) circa 1972 11 18. Draft, new "Loba" poem, 1991 11 19. The Mask is the Path of the Star, Louisville, KY: White Fields Press, 1993 11 20. "New As..." January 1969 11 21. "Notes on a Summer Solstice," June 21, 1969 (two copies) 11 22. "Paracelsus," 1983 11 23. "Peter Hartman's Sequence," Archetype West and Point Reyes Printing Co., 1992 11 24. "Prayer to the Mothers," 1971 11 25. "So Fine," Portland, OR: Yes! Press, 1971 11 26. "The Star, the child, the light," 1968 (two copies) 11 Single works (published in another source) 27. Alpha Beat Soup, December 1988 11 "Swallow Sequence" 28. Beat Coast East, Stanley Fisher, ed., New York: Excelsior Press, 1960 (two copies) 11 "Blackout" 29. The City, August 1991, 11 "Awkward Song on the Eve of War" 30. Earth's Daughters, Winter 1977, 11 "To the Patriarchs" 31. Exquisite Corpse, 4 (May-August 1986) 11 "Recent Boring Literary Pastimes" 11 32. Horoskop Orloje, 1987, Czech anthology with selections taken from Dinners and Nightmares 1. Liberation, 2 (December 1957) 12 "Memories of Childhood" 2. Long News in the Short Century, Barbara Henning, ed. (Brooklyn: Long News, 1991) 12 "The Masque of..." 12 3. Naked Ear, " Love Pomes [ sic]," n.d. 12 4. "New Mexico Poem," June-July 1967 5. Peace or Perish, Herman Berlandt and Neeli Cherkovski, eds., San Francisco: Poets for Peace, 1983 12 "Revolutionary Letter: June 12, 1982." 6. Poetry New York: A Journal of Poetry and Translation, no. 4 (Winter 1991/Spring 1992) 12 "New York Poems" 7. Poets Paper, no. 5 (November 10, 1981) 12 "Poetry Festival 1981" 8. Soup, 1980, Steve Abbott, ed., San Francisco: Steve Abbott, 1980 12 "Two from One" 9. The Sun Sets on Sunbonnet Sue, 1983 (two copies) 12 "Astrological Speculations of the Chaldeans," 12 "The Dentist from L.A." 12 "Redoubtably Ambiguous" 12 "Tara" 10. War Poems, Diane DiPrima, ed., New York: Poets Press, 1968 12 "Alba, for a Dark Year" 12 "Goodbye Nkrumah" 12 "Rant, from a Cool Place" 12 "To the Unknown Buddhist Nun Who Burned Herself to Death on the Night of June 3, 1966" 12 11. Zen Writing Workshop, containing one untitled di Prima poem 12 Published and unpublished collections 12 12. The Calculus of Variation, San Francisco, 1972 12 13. "Cycle," draft, 1956-1957 12 14. Earthsong: Poems, 1957-1959, New York: Poets Press, 1968 12 15. "For You," typescript, 1957-1958 13 1. Freddie Poems, Point Reyes, CA: Eidolon Editions, 1974 13 2. Haiku, typescript with proof of woodcuts Haiku, Topanga, CA: Love Press, n.d. 13 3. Hotel Albert, New York: Poets Press, 1968 (two copies) 13 4. KALI-MA, manuscript 13 5. Kerhonkson Journal 1966, Berkeley: Oyez, 1971 13 6. L.A. Odyssey, New York: Poets Press, 1969 (two copies) 13 7. Loba, draft and performance notes. 13 8. Loba, Part 1, Santa Barbara: Capra Press, 1971 13 9. Loba As Eve, New York: Phoenix Book Shop, 1975 13 10. Loba, Part II, Pt. Reyes: Eiddon Editions, 1976 13 11. Loba, Parts I - VIII, Berkeley: Wingbow Press, 1978 13 12. The New Handbook of Heaven, San Francisco: Auerhahn Press, 1963 (two copies) 13 13. Draft for cover of Pieces of a Song 13 14. Pieces of a Song: Selected Poems, San Francisco: City Light Books, 1990 14 1. Revolutionary Letters, 1968 14 2. Revolutionary Letters, London: Long Hair Books, 1969 14 3. Revolutionary Letters, 1971 14 4. Revolutionary Letters, Etc., San Francisco: City Light Books, 1971 (two copies) 14 5. Selected Poems, 1956-1975, Plainfield, VT: North Atlantic Books, 1975 14 6. Seminary Poems, galleys, manuscript, cover sample, 1990-1991 14 7. Seminary Poems, Point Reyes, CA: Floating Island Pub., 1991 14 8. This Kind of Bird Flies Backward, Paperback Book Gallery, 1963 (three copies) Short Stories 14 9. Miscellaneous notes for short stories, n.d. 14 10. "Arches," circa 1976 14 11. "A Couple of Weekends," n.d. 14 12. Dinners and Nightmares, New York: Corinth Books, 1961 (three copies) 14 13. Dinners and Nightmares, New York: Corinth Books, 1974 15 1. "Evolution of Landscape," circa 1979 15 2. "What Do Frogs Say," typed original manuscript, 1950s Translations 15 3. "The Man Condemned to Death," n.d. 15 4. "The Man Condemned to Death," pirated edition, #189 of 300, n.d. 15 5. "Poem by Walter of Chatillon, On the Birth of his Daughter," n.d. 15 6. Seven Love Poems from the Middle Latin, New York: Poets Press, 1965 15 7. Seven Love Poems from the Middle Latin, New York: Poets Press, 1967 15 8. Various Fables from Various Places, New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1960 4: Teaching Materials Despite the length of di Prima's teaching career, this is a very small series containing teaching notes, class descriptions, contracts, and internal correspondence regarding di Prima's work with the New College of California,NAROPA Institute, and the San Francisco Institute of the Magical and Healing Arts. (.25 linear foot), Box 15 15 9. Miscellaneous, 1970s, 1992 15 Napora Institute 15 10. Jack Kerouac Conference, "On the Road," 1982 15 11. Evaluation of Summer Writing Program, 1989 15 12. Poster for MFA program in writing and poetics, 1991 New College of California 15 13. Class schedule and book list for "Hidden Religions," n.d. 15 14. Biography for college catalog, n.d. 15 15. Administrative and contractual correspondence, 1980-1981 15 16. Staff/Faculty/Student Directories, 1980-1982 15 17. Schedules, posters, miscellaneous, 1980-1984 15 18. Miscellaneous meeting notes, 1981 15 19. Curriculum, 1981-1982 15 20. Contractual correspondence and paystub, 1986 San Francisco Institute of Magical and Healing Arts (SIMHA) 15 21. Flyers and course descriptions, 1983-1990, n.d. 15 22. Correspondence and internal paperwork, 1984-1991 15 23. Appointment book and course listings, 1987-1990 5: Printed Material This series includes promotional material for di Prima's poetry readings, the work of other writers, and clippings and other information about the 1979 case in which Imanu Amari Baraka (a.k.a. LeRoi Jones), close friend of di Prima and father of her second child, was charged with assaulting a police officer in what was called a racially motivated arrest. There is also a 1983 University of Louisville master's thesis which examines di Prima's life and work: Sharon Slaton Gibson, "Diane di Prima, Beat, Hippie, and Feminist: A Fragment of American Literary and Personal History." (1 linear foot), Boxes 16-17, 19, loose 16 1. Miscellaneous, 1985 16 2. Resumes and biographies of di Prima, [1973-1990] 16 3. Flyers, posters, and promotional materials for readings, books, classes, 1959-1989 16 4. Flyers, posters, and promotional materials for readings, books, classes, 1990-1992 16 5. Coffee House Press Catalog, [1990] 16 6. Works of other poets, n.d. 16 7. Healing meditations done for Robert Duncan, 1986 16 8. Alpha Beat Soup, no.1 (June 1987), no. 2 (December 1987), no. 3 (June 1988) 16 9. Amiri Baraka (LeRoi Jones) Case, 1979-1981 16 10. Beat Generation: An American Dream, promotional materials and reviews, 1987 16 11. Sharon Slaton Gibson, "Diane Di Prima, Beat, Hippie, and Feminist: A Fragment of American Literary and Personal History," Master's thesis, University of Louisville, 1983 17 1. The Exquisite Corpse, eight issues, eleven copies, 1983 17 2. The Exquisite Corpse, six issues, 1984-1988 17 3. Intrepid, no. 36-38 (1978), no. 39-41 (1980) 17 4. The James White Review, 2 (Spring-Summer 1985) 17 5. John's Book, Alan Marlowe, Poets Press, 1969 17 6. The Poetry Project, no. 138 (October-November 1990) 17 7. Poets Paper, no. 4 (October 1981) 17 8. "Rebel Lions," Michael McClure, manuscript 17 9. Scribimus, Hunter High School newsletter, sixteen issues, 1949-1951 17 10. "Seeds of Light," Angelina Hekking, (with editing notes by di Prima), 1990 17 11. The Underground Forest, vol. 4, no. 3, n.d. 6: Legal Two folders of papers, mainly legal paperwork for two incorporations (Aeon incorporation and LAPIS Foundation) directly involving di Prima, comprise this series. (.1 linear foot), Box 18 18 1. Miscellaneous 18 2. LAPIS Foundation, Incorporation papers (including Aeon incorporation papers.) 7: Scrapbook Materials This small series contains items from di Prima's childhood and materials relating to her children. It also includes a birth announcement for Tara Marlowe and a wedding announcement of the marriage of Di Prima and Grant Fisher in 1972. There are also a few photographs of di Prima and others. (.3 linear foot), Box 18 18 3. Diane di Prima, childhood materials: school reports, notes, lists, 1934-1963 18 4. Birth announcement, Tara Marlowe, 1967 18 5. Wedding announcement, Diane di Prima and Grant Fisher, 1971 18 6. Rudi, childhood papers, n.d. 18 7. Miscellaneous membership and ID cards, 1979-1991 18 8. Poetry and musings by Alex Marlowe, age 17, 1980 18 9. Invitations, n.d. and 1989 18 10. Promotional material for shows and other events with Alex Marlowe and Dominique di Prima, n.d. 18 11. Photographs, n.d. and 1988 18 12. Ojai Conference, photographs and notes, 1990 8: Audio Tapes A tape by singer John Braden, which includes one song, "November," with lyrics by di Prima, completes this series. (.1 linear foot), Box 18 18 13. Reel to reel tape of John Braden performing the song "November" with lyrics by di Prima 19 The Book of Hours, New York: Brownstone, 1970 (two Copies) 19 Poster: Readings by Diane Di Prima and Lucien Stryk at the University of Louisville, April-May [1980s] 19 "The Bell Tower," No Mountains Poetry Project, Broadside #6, Signed and numbered 100/150, February 1976 Unboxed The Floating Bear, Vols. 1-37, Bound, La Jolla: Laurence McGilvery, 1973 (two Copies) Unboxed Poem from "Three Laments," Poetry on the Buses