COUNTERCULTURE

These ten items were produced at the height of the surge of outrage with which the American left greeted the killing of four students by National Guardsmen at Kent State University, Ohio, on 4 May 1970. (As an example of the incident's wider cultural significance, see the song 'Ohio' by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young.) Originating from New York, six of the items are dated from the end of the same month, and the other undated items date from the same period. All ten items are single leaves. Eight of them are 8vo, one is 21 x 18cm, and the other 35 x 21cm.

8vo (A4) handbill, printed on one side. The heading 'FREE MARIJUANA PRISONERS' and part of the text reproduces handwriting (printed not cursive so to speak - see image on my website - Ginsberg's or Saunder's?) , the rest is typed. Text clear and complete. Fair, on lightly-aged and creased paper. The part of the text reproducing manuscript reads 'Many New Yorkers are arrested each year for possession of the harmless herb marijuana. Woman prisoners are kept in the Women's House of Detention. NYC Lemar will demonstrate at the Women's House of Detention Greenwich Ave. & W.

All three items good, on lightly aged paper. The first two items were formerly attached to one another by a pin. ITEM ONE (one page, folio): Blond to Ali, 6 December 1967, on letterhead of Anthony Blond Ltd, Publishers. Characteristically punchy letter of clarification, headed 'WHO Really Is WHO', and beginning 'This is just to clarify the situation between us'. A list of eight points, the first of which reads 'You are wholly employed compiling this book at a salary of £1,500 per annum for one year.