Guide to the Larry Eigner papers, 1958-1978


Brown University Library, Special Collections
Box A, John Hay Library
Brown University
Providence, RI 02912
Tel: 401-863-2146
E-mail: hay@brown.edu

Published in 2008

Collection Overview

Title: Larry Eigner papers
Date range: 1958-1978
Creator: Eigner, Larry, 1927-
Extent: 1 linear ft. (1 legal size clamshell box)
Abstract: Larry Eigner was an American poet associated with the Black Mountain Poets of the 1950s, and his work was included under that heading in the landmark 1960 anthology The New American Poetry, edited by Donald M. Allen. Formally, Eigner's poetry marks an important development in the use of line and page introduced by the Modernists in the 1920s. The Eigner papers consist of over three hundred items including manuscripts, carbon copies and photocopies of typewritten manuscripts, carbon copies and photocopies of typewritten manuscripts. Eigner's correspondence illustrates his view of contemporary poetry and poets, his comments on the publication of, and about, his work, and his personal thoughts. Eigner died in 1996 from complications related to pneumonia.
Language of materials: English
Repository: Brown University Library, Special Collections
Collection number: Ms. 79.10

Scope & content

The first series of the collection contains the poetry of Larry Eigner, acclaimed by such writers as William Carlos Williams, Denise Levertov and Robert Duncan. It consists of a series of poetry manuscripts spanning two of Eigner's most productive decades, and includes three poetry collections filed separately containing: a publisher's proof of "From the Sustaining Air" "All the bones are white" and "The -/Towards Autumn". Only fifteen of the poems are original manuscripts, although many of the carbons and photocopies have Eigner's handwritten notes and corrections on them.

The second series of this collection is composed of the correspondence between Eigner and Felix Stephanile, Bill Thomas, John Martin and James Weil. The subject matter of these letters covers a number of topics, including: Eigner's view on his own, and contemporary poetry, discussion of the then current literary magazines, an Eigner edition of Sparrow, and Eigner's views of his father's illness and death

The third and final series in this collection consists of miscellaneous items, including a post card with Eigner's poem "running around" printed on it; the Penny Poem Sheet no. 4 which contains Eigner's poems, "I sit still, as philosophers do, I guess," and "same thing" and Sparrow 4, the publication which Eigner and Stephanile discuss in their correspondence.

Access Points

Subject Names Subject Topics Subject Topics Document Types Occupations

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in three series:

  • Series 1. Manuscripts
  • Series 2. Correspondence
  • Series 3. Miscellaneous items

The collection begins with Eigner's poetry arranged in alphabetical order by either title or first line. In cases where more than one poem is written on a page the page is filled according to the title of the first poem on the page.

Eigner's correspondence is divided into two groups: those letters written by Eigner, and those written to him. Within these groups the letters are arranged alphabetically, and, in the case where more than one letter is written to or by any one individiual, the letters are arranged chronologically. The only exceptions to this are letters written on the manscripts of poems, in which case they are filed with th epoems themselves and cross referenced in their place in the normal sequence of letters with a note referring to where they are filed.

The final folder contains the few miscellaneous items within this collection.

Biographical note

Larry Eigner (1927-1996), was an American poet, short-story writer and essayist, known for spare, passionate poems. Influenced by poets such as Robert Creeley, Charles Olson and William Carlos Williams, Eigner is frequently associated with Olson's Black Mountain Poets, a group known for its postmodern style.

Laurence Joel Eigner was born in Swampscott, Massachusetts, on August 7, 1927. Birth injuries led to cerebral palsy, which affected his mobility and speaking ability. Confined to a wheelchair, Eigner watched the world outside his window with profound interest. He was educated at home and furthered his schooling through correspondence courses from the University of Chicago.

In 1949 Eigner heard poet Cid Corman giving a reading of Yeats's poetry on the radio. This moment altered the course of Eigner's life. He wrote to Corman, taking issue with Corman's reading style, and the two began what would become a long correspondence. Corman introduced Eigner to established poets such as Denise Levertov, Robert Creeley, Robert Duncan and Charles Olson.

In 1978, following the death of his father, Eigner moved to Berkeley, California, to be near his brother Richard. There he continued to write prolifically and became an important fixture in the Bay Area poetry scene. He died from complications of pneumonia on 3 February 1996. His final collection, Readiness/Enough/Depends/On, was published posthumously in 1999. His papers are housed at Stanford University, University of Kansas, and Brown University.

Source: Twentieth Century American Poetry, 2nd Edition

Access & Use

Access to the collection: There are no restrictions on access, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested.
Use of the materials: Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. Researchers should note that compliance with copyright law is their responsibility. Researchers must determine the owners of the literary rights and obtain any necessary permissions from them.
Preferred citation: Larry Eigner papers, Ms. 79.10, Brown University Library.
Contact information: Brown University Library, Special Collections
Box A, John Hay Library
Brown University
Providence, RI 02912
Tel: 401-863-2146
E-mail: hay@brown.edu

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION  
Acquisition: This collection was acquired through two separate purchases. The first from Phoenix Bookstore in New York City in 1975 included the poetry collection, "all the bones are white," From the Sustaining Air, The -/Towards Autumn and the John Martin-Eigner correspondence. The second half of the collection was purchased from Hugh Miller Bookseller in New Haven, Connecticut in January 1979 and consisted of various poems, the Stephanile-Eigner, and Weil Eigner correspondence and the miscellaneous items.
ABOUT THE FINDING AID  
Author: Finding aid prepared by E. Chapman, Student Intern, under the direction of Clifton H. Jones, Manuscript Curator, and Rita Warnock, Manuscripts Processor.
Encoding: Finding aid encoded by Daniel Mejia 2008 October 17

Additional Information

Other information:

Inventory


Series 1. Manuscripts, 1954-1989
Box 1, Folders 1-29

A. Poetry manuscripts, 1954-1978

Container Description Date
Box 1, Folder 1 Aa-Az
11 items

1954-1978
Box 1, Folder 1 Account of it being Christmas
Contents Note: Photocopy of typed manuscript filed with letter of January 3, 1954.

Genre: typed manuscript
1954 Jan 3
Box 1, Folder 1 Acupuncuture
Genre: typed manuscript
1972 Aug 23
Box 1, Folder 1 Afterwards
Contents Note: Filed with the collection From the Sustaining Air

Genre: typed manuscript (carbon copy)
undated
Box 1, Folder 1 ah, those cats
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
undated
Box 1, Folder 1 the air particles
Genre: typed manuscript (carbon copy)
1966 Sep 22
Box 1, Folder 1 all over
Genre: typed manuscript (carbon copy)
1968 Feb 7
Box 1, Folder 1 all the bones are white
Contents Note: Filed with the collection "all the bones are white"

Genre: typed manuscript
undated
Box 1, Folder 1 almost a cloud the
Genre: typed manuscript
1967 Apr 11
Box 1, Folder 1 always an imposition
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1977 Feb 1
Box 1, Folder 1 among various hills
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1966 Aug 6
Box 1, Folder 1 An oment (Anon, Sir)
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
undated
Box 1, Folder 1 anymore/hours/Paris
Genre: typed manuscript
1977 Aug 22
Box 1, Folder 1 As soon as you lay down
Contents Note: Filed with the collection "all the bones are white"

Genre: typed manuscript
undated
Box 1, Folder 1 apples
Contents Note: Filed with "a/pine/so/tall"

Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1974 Sep 5
Box 1, Folder 1 at night
Contents Note: Filed with "change to another day"

Genre: typed manuscript
1978 Jan 11
Box 1, Folder 2 B-Bla
9 items

1965-1968
Box 1, Folder 2 B
Contents Note: Filed with the collection "From the Sustaining Air"

Genre: typed manuscript (carbon copy)
undated
Box 1, Folder 2 the bare trees/alternate
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1965 Jan 01
Box 1, Folder 2 beautiful books
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1968 Jul 4
Box 1, Folder 2 the bible is greek
Contents Note: Filed with the collection "From the Sustaining Air"

Genre: typed manuscript (carbon copy)
undated
Box 1, Folder 2 the big black car
Genre: typed manuscript (carbon copy and photocopy)
1968 Jan 4
Box 1, Folder 2 a bird/bath a cloud
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1966 Sep 5
Box 1, Folder 2 the birds
Genre: typed manuscript
1968 May 30
Box 1, Folder 2 the birds/among/tree-shadows
Contents Note: Filed with the collection "The -/Towards Autumn"

Genre: typed manuscript
1966 Dec 19
Box 1, Folder 2 birds/children cover
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1967 Sep 7
Box 1, Folder 2 birds on the buildings
Contents Note: Filed with "shadow has my head"

Genre: typed manuscript
undated
Box 1, Folder 2 the birds/risen to a tree
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1966 Apr 1
Box 1, Folder 2 bird skate
Contents Note: Filed with the collection "The -/Towards Autumn"

Genre: typed manuscript
1967 May 1
Box 1, Folder 2 bird song
Genre: typed manuscript (carbon copy)
1966 May 17
Box 1, Folder 2 blackbirds and sparrows
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1965 Sep 27
Box 1, Folder 3 Ble-bu
9 items

1965-1973
Box 1, Folder 3 bleakwinds
Genre: typed manuscript
1968 Apr 7
Box 1, Folder 3 the blue can the
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1966 Aug 18
Box 1, Folder 3 A box of rr tracks
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy) and galley
1973 Nov 27
Box 1, Folder 3 branches/and wires
Genre: typed manuscript (carbon copy)
1965 Feb 10
Box 1, Folder 3 brick steps eaves
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1968 Jun 02
Box 1, Folder 3 bright moon sky
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1968 Jun 29
Box 1, Folder 3 buildings trees hills
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1966 Jul 23-1966 Jul 26
Box 1, Folder 3 But
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
undated
Box 1, Folder 3 butterflies
Genre: typed manuscript (carbon copy)
1968 Jun 11
Box 1, Folder 4 C
13 items

1960-1978
Box 1, Folder 4 Carriers In winter the dogs "chase"
Genre: typed manuscript (carbon copy)
undated
Box 1, Folder 4 CALCUTTA
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1966 Apr 3
Box 1, Folder 4 the catch
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1960 Aug 8-1960 Aug 11
Box 1, Folder 4 change to/another day
Genre: typed manuscript (carbon copy)
1978 Jan 31
Box 1, Folder 4 children's sizes are indeterminate
Genre: typed manuscript
undated
Box 1, Folder 4 clock ticks
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1966 Jul 20
Box 1, Folder 4 clouds complicated as stars
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
undated
Box 1, Folder 4 come out of you eyes the
Genre: typed manuscript (carbon copy)
1961 Jun 27
Box 1, Folder 4 coming to see the cherries
Genre: typed manuscript
1970 Sep 30
Box 1, Folder 4 Compo/sure
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1969 Jan 4
Box 1, Folder 4 the Confederacy, you have to
Contents Note: Filed with the collection "all the bones are white"

Genre: typed manuscript (carbon copy)
1969 Jan 4
Box 1, Folder 4 copter over at
Genre: typed manuscript (carbon copy)
1966 Sep 5
Box 1, Folder 4 cracked blue wall
Genre: typed manuscript
1967 Jan 16
Box 1, Folder 5 D
6 items

1960-1977
Box 1, Folder 5 deeper, deeper history in
Genre: typed manuscript
undated
Box 1, Folder 5 Desperately/to act
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1960 July 1-1960 Jul 2
Box 1, Folder 5 The difference/of a small room
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1966 Aug 12
Box 1, Folder 5 dirty work
Genre: typed manuscript (carbon copy)
1967 Jul 1-1967 Jul 6
Box 1, Folder 5 distant/foghorn
Contents Note: Filed with "willing head/on quickened legs"

Genre: typed manuscript
1977 Nov 29
Box 1, Folder 5 Do it yrself
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
undated
Box 1, Folder 5 Don't get/too much
Genre: typed manuscript
1968 Apr 18
Box 1, Folder 5 doomsday/garbage
Contents Note: Filed with "silent/film a/location"

Genre: galley
undated
Box 1, Folder 5 the double reflection
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1965 Nov 2
Box 1, Folder 5 down there in the street
Contents Note: Filed with "varieties of quiet"

Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1966 July 31
Box 1, Folder 6 E
1 item

1965-1967
Box 1, Folder 6 END OF A WALK translated from Larca's "Vvelto de Paseo"
Contents Note: Filed with the letter of November 26,1958

Genre: typed manuscript
undated
Box 1, Folder 6 enough/centrifuge, play
Contents Note: Filed with "What stories"

Genre: typed manuscript (carbon copy)
1965 Jun 6
Box 1, Folder 6 exhaust
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1967 Dec 12
Box 1, Folder 6 explanation
Contents Note: Filed with "black birds and sparrows"

Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1965 Sep 14
Box 1, Folder 7 F
7 items

1953-1977
Box 1, Folder 7 Face
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1953 Mar-1959 Oct
Box 1, Folder 7 A fence by the road-side
Genre: typed manuscript (carbon copy)
1968 Mar 9
Box 1, Folder 7 A few fins
Contents Note: Filed with "always an imposition"

Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1977 Feb 5-1977 Feb 7
Box 1, Folder 7 50 Grand
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
undated
Box 1, Folder 7 the fleeting snow
Contents Note: Filed with the letter of January 20, 1978

Genre: typed manuscript
undated
Box 1, Folder 7 For the long season
Contents Note: Filed with the letter of October 20, 1959

Genre: typed manuscript
undated
Box 1, Folder 7 For your quiet limbs
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
undated
Box 1, Folder 7 4th/4th/ a bird gropes a branch
Genre: typed manuscript (carbon copy)
1968 Jul 4
Box 1, Folder 7 Frederick Douglass
Genre: typed manuscript
1965 Jan 31
Box 1, Folder 7 From the Sustaining Air
Contents Note: Filed with the collection "From the Sustaining Air"

Genre: typed manuscript (carbon copy)
undated
Box 1, Folder 7 the frequency/of hills
Genre: typed manuscript
1966 Sep 1
Box 1, Folder 7 from the chinese laundry
Contents Note: Filed with "Pigeons the"

Genre: typed manuscripts
1967 Oct 31
Box 1, Folder 7 future
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
undated
Box 1, Folder 8 G
12 items

1961-1977
Box 1, Folder 8 garages/predicaments
Genre: typed manuscript (carbon copy)
1967 Oct 16
Box 1, Folder 8 give the dog/a name he can't use
Genre: typed manuscript (carbon copy)
1961 Mar
Box 1, Folder 8 give a dog/name he can't use
Contents Note: Revision of "give the dog" 1961 March

Genre: typed manuscript (carbon copy)
1973 Mar 17
Box 1, Folder 8 glide hard
Genre: typed manuscript
1977 Sep 14
Box 1, Folder 8 Glimpse of Man from N.U.N.C.L.E
Genre: typed manuscript (carbon copy)
1966 Mar 17-1966 Mar 21
Box 1, Folder 8 God the/figment of man's hope
Contents Note: Filed with the collection "The -/Towards Autumn"

Genre: typed manuscript
1966 Dec 12-1967 May 31
Box 1, Folder 8 Goodman, taste
Genre: typed manuscript
undated
Box 1, Folder 8 the grass grows
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1972 Jul 5-1972 Jul 12
Box 1, Folder 8 the great tragedies we don't think
Genre: typed manuscript
1967 Jan 31
Box 1, Folder 8 green
Genre: typed manuscript (carbon copy)
1966 Feb 23
Box 1, Folder 8 THE GROUP
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1966 Sep 10-1966 Oct 8
Box 1, Folder 8 gulls flying
Contents Note: Filed with the collection "The -/Towards Autumn"

Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1966 Jul 10
Box 1, Folder 8 gutter
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
undated
Box 1, Folder 9 H
8 items

1959-1973
Box 1, Folder 9 HAIKU
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1959
Box 1, Folder 9 hang on the tree there's
Genre: typed manuscript
1966 Mar 26
Box 1, Folder 9 Head full
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1967 Mar 30-1967 Apr 21
Box 1, Folder 9 Hell with it
Contents Note: Filed with the collection "From the Sustaining Air"

Genre: typed manuscript
undated
Box 1, Folder 9 the heart of
Contents Note: Filed with "The smoke going straight up"

Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1973 Feb 1
Box 1, Folder 9 History/quite the
Genre: typed manuscript (carbon copy)
1968 Apr 30
Box 1, Folder 9 History/romance
Genre: typed manuscript
1972 Jan 3
Box 1, Folder 9 horse/hours with his navel
Contents Note: 2 copies. One copy filed with the letter of November 29, 1959

Genre: typed manuscript
undated
Box 1, Folder 9 a house divided
Contents Note: Filed with the collection "From the Sustaining Air"

Genre: typed manuscript (carbon copy)
1965 Dec 24
Box 1, Folder 9 how apparent, cloudy
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1972 Jun 27-1972 Jul 11
Box 1, Folder 9 how/are things
Contents Note: Filed with "compo/sure"

Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1967 Mar
Box 1, Folder 9 how many languages how many languages how many languages my mind changed
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1967 Aug 4-1967 Sep 28
Box 1, Folder 10 I
6 items

1965-1976
Box 1, Folder 10 I imagine a man's October 29th dream intoned on/the radio
Contents Note: Filed with "stars and starlight"

Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1976 Jul 5
Box 1, Folder 10 I ran her over
Genre: typed manuscript
undated
Box 1, Folder 10 I seem to hear singing
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1966 Jan 31
Box 1, Folder 10 I sit still, as philosopher do, I guess
Contents Note: Filed with the Penny Poem Sheet, see folder 39

Genre: typed manuscript
undated
Box 1, Folder 10 I will have an image
Genre: typed manuscript (carbon copy)
undated
Box 1, Folder 10 ideal disposition
Genre: typed manuscript
1965 Jul 22
Box 1, Folder 10 in and out of life
Contents Note: Filed with the collection "The -/ Towards Autumn"

Genre: typed manuscript
1966 Nov 18
Box 1, Folder 10 in her quiet motorcycle
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
undated
Box 1, Folder 10 in her quiet motorcycle
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
undated
Box 1, Folder 10 in the room the instruments go on
Contents Note: Filed with the letter of January 1, 1954

Genre: typed manuscript
undated
Box 1, Folder 10 insect/leaf/shadows
Contents Note: Filed with "times pass"

Genre: typed manuscript
1973 Nov 17-1973 Dec 6
Box 1, Folder 10 indoor/outdoor/work
Contents Note: Filed with "waves sounding"

Genre: typed manuscript
1968 Mar 11
Box 1, Folder 10 It looks nice in the snow
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1972 Jan 29
Box 1, Folder 11 J
1 item

1967
Box 1 , Folder 11 jewelry cored earth stars
Genre: typed manuscript (carbon copy)
1967 Jul 25
Box 1, Folder 11 K
1 item

undated
Box 1, Folder 11 the knowledge of death, and now
Contents Note: Filed with the collection "all the bones are white"

Genre: typed manuscript (carbon copy)
undated
Box 1, Folder 12 L
7 items

1960-1977
Box 1, Folder 12 the leaves against the window
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1967 Oct 30
Box 1, Folder 12 Let's see now
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1962 Feb-1967 Nov 30
Box 1, Folder 12 the light of the plane
Contents Note: Filed with "varieties of quiet"

Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1966 Jul 31
Box 1, Folder 12 light/quietly/thunder
Contents Note: Filed with the letter of July 18, 1977

Genre: typed manuscript
1977 Jul 18
Box 1, Folder 12 Like measuring light
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1966 Jul 11
Box 1, Folder 12 Listening to the wind
Genre: typed manuscript
1968 Feb 17
Box 1, Folder 12 Along Lines Of
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
undated
Box 1, Folder 12 a long/time
Contents Note: Filed with the collection "From the Sustaining Air"

Genre: typed manuscript (carbon copy)
1965 Dec 3
Box 1, Folder 12 a long tongue the kite
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1966 Jul 6
Box 1, Folder 12 Looked like she was roller-skating
Genre: typed manuscript
1972 Jan 4
Box 1, Folder 12 love in the woods
Contents Note: Filed with the collection "all the bones are white"

Genre: typed manuscript (carbon copy)
1960 Jan
Box 1, Folder 13 M-Mor
7 items

1963-1972
Box 1, Folder 13 Many lives
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1972 Jan 22
Box 1, Folder 13 a matter/of/tune in
Contents Note: Filed with "the moon/bieng stealthy as a cat"

Genre: typed manuscript
1971 Sep 21
Box 1, Folder 13 marines/futilely
Genre: typed manuscript
1968 Mar 16
Box 1, Folder 13 The Midnight Birds
Contents Note: Filed with the collection "From the Sustaining Air"

Genre: typed manuscript (carbon copy)
undated
Box 1, Folder 13 milk of earth a well
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1967 Dec 10-1967 Dec 11
Box 1, Folder 13 mirrors scattered
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1967 Oct 3
Box 1, Folder 13 the moon/being stealthy as a cat
Genre: typed manuscript
1963 Aug 20
Box 1, Folder 13 the moon shining
Genre: typed manuscript (carbon copy)
1970 Oct 3
Box 1, Folder 13 more car doors opening them
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1966 Mar 28
Box 1, Folder 14 Mov-My
7 items

1965-1968
Box 1, Folder 14 Movies/and politics
Genre: typed manuscript
1968 Jun 5-1968 Jun 6
Box 1, Folder 14 the movie turned
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1967 Sep 22
Box 1, Folder 14 THE MURALS OF PICASSO
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
undated
Box 1, Folder 14 the music, the rooms
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1965 Apr 10-1965 Apr 17
Box 1, Folder 14 my goodness we
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1966 Mar 12
Box 1, Folder 14 my walls
Genre: typed manuscript
undated
Box 1, Folder 15 N
4 items

1958-1972
Box 1, Folder 15 Near the Beginning
Contents Note: Filed with the collection "From the Sustaining Air"

Genre: typed manuscript (carbon copy)
undated
Box 1, Folder 15 the night goes the fog-horn
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1969 Feb 2
Box 1, Folder 15 Noise Grimaced
Contents Note: Filed with the collection "From the Sustaining Air"

Genre: typed manuscript (carbon copy)
undated
Box 1, Folder 15 nothingness
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1972 Feb 2
Box 1, Folder 15 no way
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1967 May 11
Box 1, Folder 15 number 1 killer
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
ca. 1958
Box 1, Folder 16 O
6 items

1961-1968
Box 1, Folder 16 the old papers
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
undated
Box 1, Folder 15 the old stuff
Genre: typed manuscript (carbon copy)
1968 Apr 15
Box 1, Folder 16 OR FEAR ITSELF
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
undated
Box 1, Folder 16 other lives
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
undated
Box 1, Folder 16 Our chimney caught
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1967 Mar 3
Box 1, Folder 16 out of the ground, silence I spring
Genre: typed manuscript (carbon and photo copies)
1961 Mar
Box 1, Folder 17 P
4 items

1966-1978
Box 1, Folder 17 pages and pages
Contents Note: Filed with the postcard of March 30, 1978

Genre: typed manuscript
1978 Jan 21
Box 1, Folder 17 the paint smelling
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1966 Sep 7
Box 1, Folder 15 Partition
Contents Note: Translation from the French: "L'Espanyne en coplas" by Dominque Aubier

Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
undated
Box 1, Folder 17 parts of Salem
Contents Note: Filed with the collection "From the Sustaining Air"

Genre: typed manuscript (carbon copy)
undated
Box 1, Folder 17 Passing road
Contents Note: Filed with "smoke extent of chimney"

Genre: typed manuscript (carbon copy)
1966 Jun 4
Box 1, Folder 17 piano/clock
Contents Note: Filed with "willing head"

Genre: typed manuscript
1977 Dec 8
Box 1, Folder 17 Pigeons the
Genre: typed manuscript
1966 Aug 23
Box 1, Folder 17 a/pine/so/tall
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1974 Sep 2-1974 Sep 3
Box 1, Folder 17 planes grounded
Contents Note: Filed with the postcard of March 1978

Genre: typed manuscript
1978 Jan 20-1978 Jan 21
Box 1, Folder 18 Q
1 item

1966
Box 1, Folder 18 quiet/as a bird
Genre: typed manuscript (carbon copy)
1966 Aug 28
Box 1, Folder 19 R
4 items

1965-1977
Box 1, Folder 19 radio/words
Genre: typed manuscript
1977 Oct 11
Box 1, Folder 19 the rain/singing continently
Contents Note: Filed with the collection "From the Sustaining Air"

Genre: typed manuscript (carbon copy)
1965 Dec 13
Box 1, Folder 19 REMBRANDT age 23
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
undated
Box 1, Folder 19 replacing the gutters
Genre: typed manuscript (carbon copy)
1968 Aug 9
Box 1, Folder 19 Revealed Food
Genre: typed manuscript (carbon copy)
1973 Jan 17-1973 Jan 18
Box 1, Folder 19 rising
Contents Note: Filed with "black birds and sparrows"

Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1965 Jan 20
Box 1, Folder 19 a road in mis-/sissippi through
Contents Note: Filed with "smoke extent of chimney"

Genre: typed manuscript (carbon copy)
1966 Jan 7
Box 1, Folder 19 Road-Side
Contents Note: Filed with the collection "From the Sustaining Air"

Genre: typed manuscript (carbon copy)
undated
Box 1, Folder 19 The roofer's truck lumber projecting
Genre: typed manuscript (carbon copy)
1968 Aug 13
Box 1, Folder 19 round notes
Genre: typed manuscript
1977 Nov 28
Box 1, Folder 20 S-Sl
8 items

Box 1, Folder 20 same thing
Contents Note: Filed in Folder 39/ on Penny Poem Sheet

Genre: typed manuscript
undated
Box 1, Folder 20 shadow has my head
Genre: typed manuscript
undated
Box 1, Folder 20 The shadow of the towel three flights up
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
undated
Box 1, Folder 20 Shadows, birds
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1967 Apr 29
Box 1, Folder 20 Side by side
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
undated
Box 1, Folder 20 silent/film a/location
Genre: galley
undated
Box 1, Folder 20 Sleep was in his mouth he woke the
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1962 Jun 23
Box 1, Folder 20 Slow/river into
Genre: typed manuscript
1968 Feb 23
Box 1, Folder 20 small snow jagged was the wind
Contents Note: Filed with "trees no animal shape"

Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1966 Jan 23
Box 1, Folder 21 Sm-Sw
9 items

Box 1, Folder 21 smoke extent of chimney
Genre: typed manuscript (carbon copy)
1966 Jun 2
Box 1, Folder 21 The smoke going straight up
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1973 Feb 1
Box 1, Folder 21 The snow/bank
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1967 Mar 14-1967 Mar 24
Box 1, Folder 21 snow/blinding
Contents Note: Filed with the postcard of March 30, 1978

Genre: typed manuscript
1978 Jan 20
Box 1, Folder 21 some lines I don't understand
Contents Note: Filed with "trees no animal shape"

Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1966
Box 1, Folder 21 Something big and round in its mouth
Genre: typed manuscript
1967 Apr 21
Box 1, Folder 21 some time ago I heard in the night
Contents Note: Filed with the letter of August 31, 1960

Genre: typed manuscript
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Box 1, Folder 21 sands like Africa
Contents Note: Filed with "I will have an image"

Genre: typed manuscript (carbon copy)
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Box 1, Folder 21 space/music the/thought
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
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Box 1, Folder 21 squirrels everywhere all
Genre: typed manuscript
1966 Dec 5
Box 1, Folder 21 stairway leading to nowhere
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1966 Jul 6
Box 1, Folder 21 stars and starlight
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1975 Jul 5
Box 1, Folder 21 swayed by the wind on a line
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1965 Nov 1
Box 1, Folder 22 T-Tos
8 items

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Box 1, Folder 22 That's all figures
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1967 Dec 4
Box 1, Folder 22 That was b-flat
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
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Box 1, Folder 22 The -
Contents Note: Filed with the collection "The -/Towards Autumn"

Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
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Box 1, Folder 22 theatre
Contents Note: Filed with the collection "all the bones are white"

Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
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Box 1, Folder 22 there go the books years of
Contents Note: Filed with "tree/leaves/let go"

Genre: galley
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Box 1, Folder 22 There is no community
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1967 Nov 24
Box 1, Folder 22 things stirring together
Genre: typed manuscript
1967 Jan 12
Box 1, Folder 22 Think of it as/forever
Genre: typed manuscript
1967 Mar 6
Box 1, Folder 22 this is to put
Genre: typed manuscript (carbon copy)
1968 Jan 10
Box 1, Folder 22 times pass
Genre: typed manuscript
1973 Nov 13
Box 1, Folder 22 to see in the green/trees
Genre: typed manuscript (carbon copy)
1968 Feb 4
Box 1, Folder 23 Toy-Tw
8 items

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Box 1, Folder 23 TOWARDS AUTUMN
Contents Note: Filed with the collection "The-/Towards Autumn"

Genre: typed manuscript (carbon copy)
1966 Oct 11
Box 1, Folder 23 toys, what
Genre: typed manuscript (carbon copy)
1966 Mar 4
Box 1, Folder 23 Traffic like the wind
Contents Note: Filed with the collection "The -/Towards Autumn"

Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1966 Jul 4
Box 1, Folder 23 the tree/is opened
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1966 Nov 22-1966 Nov 24
Box 1, Folder 23 tree/leaves/let go
Genre: galley
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Box 1, Folder 23 the tree/roots water
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1966 Aug 8-1966 Aug 10
Box 1, Folder 23 trees
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1968 May 17
Box 1, Folder 23 trees no animal shape
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1966 Jan 9
Box 1, Folder 23 those shades are from trees
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1967 Nov 13-1967 Nov 21
Box 1, Folder 23 two walls
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1966 Dec 28
Box 1, Folder 24 U
1 item

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Box 1, Folder 24 unknown
Genre: typed manuscript
1970 Oct 7-1970 Oct 12
Box 1, Folder 25 V
4 items

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Box 1, Folder 25 varieties of quiet
Genre: typed manuscript (two photocopies of different editions)
1966 Jul 30
Box 1, Folder 25 a very serious, threatening expression
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1966 Aug 20
Box 1, Folder 25 a virgin
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
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Box 1, Folder 25 Voice, Free
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
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Box 1, Folder 26 W
9 items

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Box 1, Folder 26 water is enough
Genre: typed manuscript (carbon copy)
1966 Mar 13
Box 1, Folder 26 WATER-PISTOL
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
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Box 1, Folder 26 waves sounding
Genre: typed manuscript (original and photocopy)
1968 May 19
Box 1, Folder 26 what di/mension line
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1967 May 29
Box 1, Folder 26 What history
Genre: galley
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Box 1, Folder 26 What stories
Genre: typed manuscript (carbon copy)
1965 Jun 4
Box 1, Folder 26 When your hair gets
Contents Note: Filed with the collection "The-/Towards Autumn"

Genre: typed manuscript (carbon copy)
1966 Jun 6
Box 1, Folder 26 Where/When [one line]
Genre: typed manuscript (photocopy)
1966 Jul 16
Box 1, Folder 26 The whole earth together
Genre: typed manuscript (carbon copy)
1967 Jul 18
Box 1, Folder 26 Willing head
Genre: typed manuscript (carbon and photo copy)
1970 Sep 28
Box 1, Folder 26 The world that was, the glass
Genre: typed manuscript
1968 Apr 2-1968 Apr 5
Box 1, Folder 26 Ygnenio, white
Contents Note: Filed with the letter of May 11, 1959 see folder 35.

Genre: typed manuscript
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Box 1, Folder 26 you never know
Contents Note: Filed with "What Stories"

Genre: typed manuscript (carbon copy)
undated

B. Collection of manuscript work copies, undated

Container Description Date
Box 1, Folder 27 all the bones are white
Contents Note: Contains the collection "all the bones are white" which includes the following poems:
  • all the bones are white
  • theatre charged with
  • love in the woods
  • As soon as you lay down
  • the knowledge death, and now
  • The Confederacy, you have to


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Box 1, Folder 28 From the Sustaining Air
Contents Note: Typewritten copy with manuscript notes by the editor. Poems included are:
  • a long/time
  • Ah, the air
  • AFTERWARDS
  • near the Beginning
  • B
  • Hell With It
  • The bible is greek
  • De Limits
  • The Midnight Birds
  • Parts of Salem
  • Noise grimaced
  • the rain/singing continently
  • Road-side
  • Dying
  • A house divided
  • From the Sustaining Air


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Box 1, Folder 29 The -/Towards Autumn
Contents Note: Contains the collection "The -/Towards Autumn" which includes:
  • The
  • When your hair gets
  • gulls flying
  • Traffic like the wind
  • God the/figment of man's hope
  • TOWARDS AUTUMN
  • in and out of life
  • the birds/among/tree-shadows
  • bird skate


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Series 2. Correspondence, 1955-1978
Box 1, Folders 30-42

A. Letters from Eigner, 1955-1978

Container Description Date
Box 1, Folder 30 Eigner, Larry to Miller, Hugh
1 item

Contents Note: Eigner writes to Hugh Miller discussing the publication of "Flat and Round"

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Box 1, Folder 31 Felix Stephanile
5 items

Contents Note: Felix Stephanile was the publisher of a small literary magazine and a poet himself, and the correspondence between the two men covers the period from January 1954 to December 1960, well before either man acquired a reputation of importance. Many of these letters concern an Eigner edition of Sparrow (included in this collection) but the correspondence is not restricted to this topic and includes discussion of such matters as: contemporary poets, their own poetry and then current literary magazines.

1954 Jan-1955 Jan
Box 1, Folder 32 Eigner, Larry to Stephanile, Felix
4 items

Contents Note: These letters include a discussion of Eigner poetry and the Eigner edition of Sparrow.

1955 Feb-1955 Oct
Box 1, Folder 33 Eigner, Larry to Stephanile, Felix
Contents Note: Contains a discussion of contemporary poets, his own poetry and other publications. Eigner also comments on Sparrow no. 8 and other literary magazines.

1956 Nov-1957 Dec
Box 1, Folder 34 Eigner, Larry to Stephanile, Felix
7 items

Contents Note: Eigner discusses poetry in the latest issue of Sparrow. Contains Eigner's poem, "horse/hours with his navel"

1958 May-1958 Nov
Box 1, Folder 35 Eigner, Larry to Stephanile, Felix
Contents Note: Eigner comments on Stephanile's idea about Billy the Kid, Sparrow numbers 11 and 14. Discusses his and his father's health.

1959 Feb-1960 Dec
Box 1, Folder 27 Eigner, Larry to Thomas, Bill
Contents Note: Eigner's note to Thomas concerns the publication of "ah, the air."

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Box 1, Folder 36 Eigner, Larry to Weil, James
7 items

Contents Note: Eigner writes to Weil about his health and his fiftieth birthday. He also writes about his impending move to Berkeley. The poem, "light/quietly/thunder" is included.

1977
Box 1, Folder 37 Eigner, Larry to Weil, James
6 items

Contents Note: Eigner writes about his father's illness and subsequent death. Includes the poems, "the fleeting snow," "planes grounded," "pages and pages," and "snow/blinding."

1978

B. Letters to Eigner, 1954-1973

Container Description Date
Box 1, Folder 38 Martin, John to Eigner, Larry
3 items

Contents Note: Contains a discussion of the "signed series" of "The -/Towards Autumn"

1967 Aug-1967 Oct
Box 1, Folder 39 Martin, John to Eigner, Larry
3 items

Contents Note: Contains letter from the year 1973. Discussion includes matters concerning publication of Sparrow.

1973
Box 1, Folder 40 Stephanile, Felix, to Eigner, Larry
3 items

Contents Note: Contains two letters from Stephanile to Eigner on various matters including a discussion of a number of poets and works in Sparrow. One of the letters is handwritten.

1954
Box 1, Folder 41 Stephanile, Felix, to Eigner, Larry
4 items

Contents Note: Contents include: three letters written to Eigner which discuss such matters as the ethics of publication, poetry theory and Sparrow number 10

1958
Box 1, Folder 42 Stephanile, Felix, to Eigner, Larry
4 items

Contents Note: Contains two letters from Stephanile discussing his obsession with the real story of Billy the Kid. He also talks about the proper translation of works of poetry. One of the letters is handwritten.

1959-1960

Series 3. Miscellaneous items, undated
Box 1, Folder 43

Container Description Date
Box 1, Folder 43 Postcard, "Penny Poem Sheet" and Sparrow
3 items

Contents Note: Contains one post card with Eigner's poem "running around" printed on it, one copy of the "Penny Poem Sheet" number 4, and one issue of Sparrow number 4. Included in these latter two are the following poems:
  • I sit still, as a philosopher do, I guess
  • same thing
  • Voice, Free
  • The CARICATURE
  • I HAVE FELT IT AS THEY'VE SAID
  • ALAS, ALAS, WHO'S INJURED
  • ANOTHER ONE
  • PIECE
  • My Eyes Went Where there Was a Tree
  • The Cripples
  • The Way
  • How the Blind Did It


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