Description:

Allen Ginsberg Signs a Classmate's 1943 Yearbook, Includes his 1st Published Poem

Allen Ginsberg (1926-1997). An Eastside High School "The Senior Mirror" yearbook, Patterson, New Jersey, June 1943, originally owned by Ginsberg's classmate, Estelle Verner. Signed below Ginsberg's yearbook photo and inscribed to Verner, "You're smart and you do look well, I might have known: your name's Estelle / Allen Ginsberg". Expected age wear to boards and bumping to corners. Light soiling and toning to pages. In overall near fine condition.

In 1943, Allen Ginsberg was a senior at Eastside High School, where he served as the literary editor of "The Senior Mirror" yearbook. The entry beside his photo reads: "'Professor' is the philosopher and genius of the class...hopes to study law...Talent Club President, Criterion, Big Brother, Senior Mirror...fiend for Beethoven and Charlie Chaplin...indulges in music, politics, history, literature...Gold 'P'...hates dull teachers and Republicans." Ginsberg's poem titled "Class Poem" takes up a full page of the yearbook, and this is the first time that Ginberg's poetry appeared in print. Although a few of his articles were published in the 1941 issue of "The Central High Spectator", this was his first published poem. The poem reads, in part: "For these are giant times, and history / Is fashioned as the minutes burn away. / Buildings of old beliefs are being bombed, / And rotted walls are crumbling down today. / Ready are we to meet the challenge hurled: / To battle, conquer, and rebuild the world". 

Ginsberg transferred from Central High to Eastside High for his junior and senior years. His English teacher, Frances Durbin, was the first person to introduce Ginsberg to Walt Whitman; Ginsberg later recalled this as being his most memorable school day. Durbin also suggested that he take a look at the poetry of Hart Crane. At his High School reunion in 1968, as quoted in Wait Till I'm Dead: Uncollected Poems, Ginsberg re-read "Class Poem" and commented, "Oh well, there it is. Doesn't seem to be much change in the world after twenty-five years".

This yearbook offers one a fascinating look at a young Ginsberg, providing a glimpse into his early personality, political views and career aspirations.

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!

Accepted Forms of Payment:

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

Shipping

Unless otherwise indicated, we do our own in-house worldwide 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 who proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with signature required, 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 Please copy and paste this following link into your browser: http://universityarchives.com/UserFiles/ShippingInfo.pdf. 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.

May 31, 2023 11:00 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