Allen Ginsberg: Drawings and Inscriptions Gallery
 
Allen Ginsberg self-portrait 1992

Allen Ginsberg, 1992

You know, prior to the publciation of his Collected Poems, in 1984, Allen probably confronted City Lights Pocket Poet editions at his signings most of the time. Little room on the small (15.5 x 12.5 cm) blank page across from the title page—room for a sunflower, sun, and star or two. So, when Harper & Row came out with the larger sized books with the larger empty page—Ginsberg must have thought, wow, opportunity for artistic expression!—if there was time and appreciation of the person seeking his signature. The books in which Ginsberg most commonly inscribed with drawings were the Harper & Row editions from 1984 to 1986. However, he drew and inscribed on many editions of his books using a wide range of motifs, symbols, messages, and settings. As with his poetry and photography, his drawings demonstrate unique artistic genius script'd in detail.

—Walt Smith

 

 

Click on thumbnail to enlarge. Drawings and inscriptions are presented in chronological order.
       
  Drawing by Allen Ginsberg   Courtesy of Eero Ruuttila
       
  Handwritten lyric to Bob Dylan inscribed to Nanda Pivano, NYC, April 1977.   Courtesy of Nanda Pivano
       
  Drawing by Allen Ginsberg   Courtesy of Eliot Katz
       
    Courtesy of Steve Silberman
       
  Drawing by Allen Ginsberg   Courtesy of Walt Smith
       
  Drawing by Allen Ginsberg   Courtesy of Walt Smith
       
  Drawing by Allen Ginsberg   Courtesy of Walt Smith
       
  Drawing by Allen Ginsberg   Courtesy of the Allen Ginsberg Trust
       
  Drawing by Allen Ginsberg   Courtesy of the Allen Ginsberg Trust
       
  Drawing by Allen Ginsberg   Courtesy of the Allen Ginsberg Trust
       
  Drawing by Allen Ginsberg   Courtesy of the Allen Ginsberg Trust
       
  Drawing by Allen Ginsberg   Courtesy of the Allen Ginsberg Trust
       
  Drawing by Allen Ginsberg   Courtesy of Stephen Miles
       
  Drawing by Allen Ginsberg   Courtesy of Jim Cohn
       
  Drawing by Allen Ginsberg   Courtesy of Eliot Katz
       
  Drawing by Allen Ginsberg   Courtesy of Benjamin Spencer
       
  Drawing by Allen Ginsberg   Courtesy of Eliot Katz
       
  Drawing by Allen Ginsberg   Courtesy of Jim Cohn
       
  Drawing by Allen Ginsberg   Courtesy of Jack Collom
       
  Drawing by Allen Ginsberg   Courtesy of Marc Olmsted
       
  Drawing by Allen Ginsberg   Courtesy of Walt Smith
       
  Drawing by Allen Ginsberg   Courtesy of David Cope
       
   

Courtesy of Gemini G.E.L.

       
    Courtesy of Gemini G.E.L.
       
    Courtesy of Gemini G.E.L.
       
    Courtesy of Gemini G.E.L.
       
    Courtesy of Gemini G.E.L.
       
    Courtesy of Gemini G.E.L.
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