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   1975. Courtesy of Eero Ruuttila.
       
  Handwritten lyric to Bob Dylan inscribed to Nanda Pivano, NYC, April 1977.   October 31, 1975. Courtesy of Nanda Pivano.
       
  Drawing by Allen Ginsberg   January 9, 1986. Courtesy of Steve Silberman.
       
    April 16, 1986. Courtesy of Eliot Katz.
       
  Drawing by Allen Ginsberg   March 6, 1987. Courtesy of Walt Smith.
       
  Drawing by Allen Ginsberg   December 15, 1988. Courtesy of Walt Smith.
       
  Drawing by Allen Ginsberg   December 13, 1989. Courtesy of Walt Smith.
       
  Drawing by Allen Ginsberg   June, 1990. Courtesy of the Allen Ginsberg Trust.
       
  Drawing by Allen Ginsberg   September 28, 1990. Courtesy of the Allen Ginsberg Trust.
       
  Drawing by Allen Ginsberg   October 23, 1990. Courtesy of the Allen Ginsberg Trust.
       
  Drawing by Allen Ginsberg   April 5, 1991. Courtesy of the Allen Ginsberg Trust.
       
  Drawing by Allen Ginsberg   April 8, 1992. Courtesy of the Allen Ginsberg Trust.
       
  Drawing by Allen Ginsberg   December 23, 1992. Courtesy of Stephen Miles.
       
  Drawing by Allen Ginsberg   February 7, 1993. Courtesy of Jim Cohn.
       
  Drawing by Allen Ginsberg   June 22, 1994. Courtesy of Eliot Katz.
       
  Drawing by Allen Ginsberg   November 9, 1994. Courtesy of Tullio Francesco DeSantis.
       
  Drawing by Allen Ginsberg   July 7, 1995. Courtesy of Benjamin Spencer.
       
  Drawing by Allen Ginsberg   June 6, 1996. Courtesy of Eliot Katz.
       
  Drawing by Allen Ginsberg   June 26, 1996. Courtesy of Jim Cohn.
       
  Drawing by Allen Ginsberg   July 12, 1996. Courtesy of Jack Collom.
       
  Drawing by Allen Ginsberg   November 17, 1996. Courtesy of Marc Olmsted.
       
  Drawing by Allen Ginsberg   March 27, 1997. Courtesy of Walt Smith.
       
  Drawing by Allen Ginsberg   May 24, 1997. Courtesy of David Cope.
       
   

Date Unknown. Courtesy of Gemini G.E.L.

       
    Date Unknown. Courtesy of Gemini G.E.L.
       
    Date Unknown. Courtesy of Gemini G.E.L.
       
    Date Unknown. Courtesy of Gemini G.E.L.
       
    Date Unknown. Courtesy of Gemini G.E.L.
       
    Date Unknown. Courtesy of Gemini G.E.L.
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