Description:

Allen Ginsberg
Cherry Valley, NY, June 10, 1970
Allen Ginsberg ALS Revising Stanza for Landmark Poem 'Friday the Thirteenth', with Finished Publication in Magazine
ALS

A desirable ALS from Allen Ginsberg (1926-1997) addressed to Tim Heitzman, editor of Klipsun Magazine, regarding a request to print his poem "Friday the Thirteenth". 1p, measuring 8.5" x 11", Cherry Valley, NY, June 10, 1970. Twice signed as "Allen Ginsberg" and initialed once at upper left. Accompanied by its original mailing envelope, hand addressed by Ginsberg and additionally signed by him. Exhibits degrees of expected creasing and letter folds, with minor tearing to envelope. Otherwise, very good to near fine. Great content, providing significant insight into his revisionary process!

Together with the resulting issue of Klipsun, presumably Heitzman's copy, [Western Washington State College, 1970. 142pp.] featuring Ginsberg's revised poem on pages 140-142.

The letter reads in full:

"Dear Mr. Heitzman & Klipsun
Yes fine delightful do reprint Friday the 13th from Rolling Stone, (if you're able @ Allen Ginsberg reprinted from Rolling Stone; but that is taken for granted) –
Please back up that single over-long strophe I mentioned on the phone, as follows -:
Growth rate trippers hallucinatory everglade real estate! Steak swallowers hooked on Television:
Old ladies on stockmarket habits – old wall street paper money pushers.
Be sure right hand margin is justified – i.e. carry all lines that run on + lay over should be carried out to margin before laying over indented as in Rolling Stone.
Also, line I part II should end – old massacres in suburb garages – old massacres not massacres – OK –
Allen Ginsburg
[In the left margin, written horizontally] Send me one or 2 copies please – AG"

Ginsberg's poem 'Friday the Thirteenth' was first published in the June 1970 edition of Rolling Stone magazine, laid out in an impressive two-page spread. A leading figure of the Beat Generation, his work often explored the intersection of personal experience and broader societal concerns. 'Friday the Thirteenth' is thus marked by its use of vivid free verse and a lack of fixed structure which mirrors the chaos associated with its eponymous date. The revisions mentioned in this letter not only offer new insight into the text, but further emphasizes the importance Ginsberg placed on shape and typeset for the proper reading of his poems.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

  • Dimensions: 9.25" x 12.25"
  • Medium: ALS

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Unless otherwise indicated, we do our own in-house world-wide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses that proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with a signature required option, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice. If any changes to the shipping address need to be made, you must inform us immediately.***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third-Party Shipping Option: If a third-party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third-party. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third-party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third-party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third-party shippers.

After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 10 business days following receipt of full payment for item.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Wilton, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

October 8, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000