Berman, Wallace, b. 1926 d. 1976

Wallace Berman papers, 1907-1979 (bulk 1955-1979)

4.9 linear ft. (on 3 microfilm reels)
Reel(s): 5282-5284

Letters, notes from an interview of Berman, art work, issues of Berman's underground publication Semina, and one of "S.M.S.", printed materials, photographs and audio tapes provide an overview of the career of California assemblage artist and beat poet Wallace Berman, as well as the "beat" movement in California in the late 1950s through the 1970s. Approximately two thirds of the collection consists of Berman's library - mostly poetry - including many first editions, by writers of the beat movement.

Letters, 1957-1979, are from universities, publishers, museums and other business related contacts, and from artists, friends and writers of the beat movement, among them Robert Branaman, Jess (Collins), Jay DeFeo, Diane DiPrima, Bob Driscoll, Robert Duncan, Allen Ginsberg, Jack Hirschman, Ray Johnson, Larry Jordan, Michael McClure, David Meltzer, Henry Miller, Stuart Z. Perkoff, and John Wieners. Also found are ten letters written by Berman, 1957-1979.

Notes from an interview, 1967, consist of sentence fragments taken from a London interview of Berman by Sandrada. Art work, 1956-1976, consists of 11 collages and 9 drawings by Berman, and 8 photograms by Robert F. Heinecken.

The file on Berman's mail art magazine Semina, 1955-1967, contains original issues No. 1-2 and 4-8, and announcements from the Semina Art Gallery. Relating to his publication S.M.S. is issue No. 1 (1968).

Printed material, 1907-1976, includes clippings; exhibition announcements and catalogs; brochures; booklets; 2 scripts entitled The Beard by Michael McClure and The Yin and The Yang by Don Sherman, Dennis Hopper, and Peter Fonda. Included in this series are Berman's library -74 books of mostly poetry, some illustrated by Berman, by Billy Al Bengston and Ed Ruscha, Robert Duncan, Allen Ginsberg, Jack Hirschman, Philip Lamantia, Michael McClure, David Meltzer, Henry Miller, Kenneth Patchen, Stuart Z. Perkoff, John Wieners, and others. Also found in the series "writings" are typescripts for a book, and of poetry by McClure, Meltzer, and Wieners.

Photographs, 1956-1976, are of Berman, his wife, and his colleagues George Herms, Patricia Jordan, Philip Lamantia, Michael McClure, and John Wieners. There are also photographs of the Poets' Parade, 1958, and of Berman's work "Wall Painting". Audio tapes, 1962-1965, consist of 12 reel-to-reel tapes of poetry readings by Michael McClure, David Meltzer, and Kenneth Patchen.

Donated 1991 by Tosh Berman, Berman's son.

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• Microfilm reels 5282-5284 available for use at Archives of American Art offices and through interlibrary loan.
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