[PATCHEN, KENNETH. (1911-1972). American poet and artist whose work is often described as jazz poetry and who was part of the San Francisco Renaissance and an influence on the Beat Poets. A small collection of Patchen ephemera including promotional material for his 1953 book Fables and Other Little Tales, the illustrated poetry collection Glory Never Guesses which was privately printed in 1955 and the 1958 album Kenneth Patchen Reads with the Chamber Jazz Sextet released by the record label Cadence, the 1955 The Famous Boating Party and Fables & Other Little Tales, ab ALS from Miriam Patchen, two envelopes addressed by Kenneth Patchen, etc.
Patchen published his first collection of poetry, Before the Brave, in 1936, after which he moved to California at the urging of San Francisco poet Kenneth Rexroth. Both men, who shared strong pacifist beliefs and an interest in jazz, exerted an influence over the Beat Poets whose fame would eclipse them. A prolific writer, Patchen also worked in other media, collaborating with John Cage and Charles Mingus, and creating more than 1000 “painted books” in which his poems were accompanied by paintings or drawings. Patchen’s work was elevated by a number of high-profile patrons and collaborators including Rexroth, poet e.e. cummings; and, in later years, The Doors frontman Jim Morrison, whose style he influenced.
Patchen’s enormous output is especially notable given his health problems that began in 1937 when he injured his spine. Subsequent surgeries only provided temporary relief and in 1959 a botched surgical procedure led to him spending the rest of his life disabled and nearly bedridden. Our letter discusses the extent of his disability and mentions that his wife and muse, Miriam née Oikemus Patchen (1914-2000). Patchen’s oeuvre includes a large volume of love poems to Miriam, including his well-known “23rd Street Runs Into Heaven.” Miriam, to whom he dedicated his more than 40 volumes, also assisted Patchen in the creation of his painted poems from his bed. After his death, she became a peace activist and was the subject of a short documentary Miriam Is Not Amused.
In overall fine condition.
