Brian Cassidy, Bookseller Archives - Rare Book Insider

Brian Cassidy, Bookseller

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SEMINA 5

SEMINA 5

Complete fifth "Mexico" issue of Berman's legendary artist's magazine. Privately distributed and "handset on a beat 5 x 8 Excelsior hand-press" by Berman, SEMINA combines the early DIY-ethos of the Mimeo Revolution with the aesthetics of the burgeoning mail art movement. From the beginning, the magazine was an innovation, "not a choice of poems and art works to exercise the editor's discrimination and aesthetic judgment, but the fashioning of a context," as Robert Duncan described it. In other words, an artwork in and of itself: "Taking a dose of inspiration from Dadaist and Surrealist periodicals [.] SEMINA was heterogeneous in content and physical materials. The magazine manifested in equal measure Berman's passion for the crafted object and his love of poetry, but issues also encompassed photography, collage, and drawings [.] hand-printed on a variety of papers [.] [m]ost issues were looseleaf and unsequenced, the order left for the reader to determine" (Aarons & Roth, 340). Contributors to this issue include: Antonin Artaud, Wallace Berman (as "Pantale Xantos," a photo of Lamantia shooting up), John Chance, Sor Juana Ines De La Cruz, Kirby Doyle, John Hoffman, Larry Jordan, Robert Kaufman, Philip Lamantia, Christopher Maclaine, Michael McClure, Anne McKeever, William Margolia, David Meltzer, John Reed, John Wieners, and Ruth Weiss. Given their rather fugitive nature and with editions rarely exceeding 300 copies, all of the issues of SEMINA are scarce. Original printed folder featuring a photo by Charles Brittin of a phallic sculpture. Containing in an interior pocket 18 inserts letterpress poems, half-tone photographs, reproduced drawings etc. on various colored papers by more than a dozen contributors. One of 350 unnumbered copies printed by Berman. Light wear to folder, minor toning to paper. Overall bright and sharp.
SYNTHESIS: An Introduction to the History

SYNTHESIS: An Introduction to the History, Theory, & Practice of Electronic Music

Inscribed first edition of this groundbreaking textbook on electronic music from the pioneering composer, musician, and co-creator of the Moog synthesizer. Along with Bob Moog (who provided the technical know-how), Herbert A. Deutsch (who provided the practical musical know-how) in 1964 invented the legendary Moog synthesizer, which helped change the direction of popular music in the second half of the 20th century. An influence on everyone from The Beatles (who featured the instrument on ABBEY ROAD) to Pink Floyd, the Moog is also almost single-handedly responsible for much of the sound of disco, new wave, club, house, and other dance musics. SYNTHESIS is the first of a trilogy of textbooks Deutsch penned dealing with electronic music - among the earliest books of their kind. Includes a 7-inch 33-1/3 vinyl record of Deutsch engaged in a number of aural experiments and manipulations. Given its ephemeral nature, the book is scarce on its own, and is rare signed. An significant entry in the history of electronic music, from one of its most important figures. 10'' x 7.5''. Original color pictorial wrappers. With paper sleeve containing 7-inch 33-1/3 vinyl record taped (likely as issued) to inside rear cover. xii, 140 pages. Inscribed by Deutsch on the title page: "To Ginny Page / with warmest regards and / appreciation for your help and / friendship - / Love, / Herb." Chipping and creasing to spine with some separation to the rear cover at the fold. Some foxing and offsetting to endpapers. Book worn, but sound.