Vincent Ferrini Papers

Collection

Identifier: 1997-0107

Staff Only

Scope and Content

The collection includes correspondence, manuscripts, notes, newspaper clippings, photographs and literary ephemera (posters, broadsides, and pamphlets).

Dates

Creation: undated, 1949 - 1977

Access

The collection is open and available for research.

Restrictions on Use

Permission to publish from these Papers must be obtained in writing from the owner(s) of the copyright.

Biography

Vincent Ferrini was born 24 June 1913 in Saugus, Massachusetts, the son of Italian immigrants. He received his formal education in local schools and continued his learning through a self-initiated program of study. Ferrini's first book of poems, No Smoke (1941), was written while he was employed by General Electric at the Lynn (MA) plant. Much of his poetry focuses on social issues relating to his factory experiences with GE and other large companies. In the early 1950s he edited a small magazine entitled Four Winds.

Mr. Ferrini was married first to Margaret Duffy and then to artist Mary Shore. He is the father of a son and two daughters (one deceased). Residing most of his life in Gloucester, MA, Ferrini was an active writer and correspondent. For many years, Ferrini was a close friend of the poet Charles Olson (1910-1970) and had numerous acquaintances in literary circles. He operated his own framemaking business based in Gloucester.

Vincent Ferrini died on 24 December 2007 at the age of 94.

Extent

2.75 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Vincent Ferrini was born 24 June 1913 in Saugus, Massachusetts, the son of Italian immigrants. Ferrini's first book of poems, No Smoke (1941), was written while he was employed by General Electric at the Lynn (MA) plant. In the early 1950s he edited a small magazine entitled Four Winds

Arrangement

Series I: Correspondence (1949 - 1973) includes correspondence to and from Vincent Ferrini and numerous friends and literary figures including Robin Blaser, Stan Brakhage, Cid Corman, Robert Creeley, Larry Eigner, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Gerard Malanga, Charles Olson, and Kenneth Rexroth.

Series II: Manuscripts (undated, 1951-1970) contains Ferrini manuscripts as well as those of others.

Series III: Clippings and Ephemera (undated, 1977) include items that do not fall within Series I and II. Some materials can be identified and have been foldered individually.

Series IV: Photographs and AV Materials (undated, 1966) include items that do not fall within Series I and II. The collection includes two unidentified photographs and three audio tapes.

Addition 2017-0160 includes letters, literary manuscripts, books and publications, audio recordings and clippings.

Acquisition Information

The collection was purchased from Mr. Ferrini by the University in August 1972.

Separated Material

The following materials have been separated from the collection and cataloged:

Creeley, Robert. Words. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1967. Inscribed “for Vincent in the pleasure of his place—with love, Bob Gloucester, Mass. July 27, 1967”Dodd Call No. B 5488

Ferrini, Vincent. Hermit of the Clouds. The Autobiography of Vincent Ferrini. [Japanese edition] Dodd Call No. A 4457b

Dorn, Edward. What I see in the Maximus Poems. N.P.: A Migrant Pamphlet, 1960. Inscribed “for Vincent first to see how the wind lieth O” Dodd Call No. WPS 3448

Olson, Charles. A Bibliography on America for Ed Dorn. San Francisco: City Lights Books, 1964. Inscribed “Vincent Ferrini `Given' + how to my other `Carp?'—with my own hands—today with this Indice written at the same time: Blessings on me, Little Lamb What a Lion I am today! D.V. [see p. 10-11, Vince] Wednesday January 20th 1966” Dodd Call No. WPS 3450

Olson, Charles. Charles Olson Reading at Berkeley. Transcribed by Zoe Brown. San Francisco: City Lights Books, 1966. Inscribed “I hope legitmame (sic)! Especially for you Charles” Dodd Call No.

Olson, Charles. The Distances/Poems. New York: Grove Press, Inc., 1960. Inscribed “For Vincent with love from Charles” Dodd Call No. C 5402

Olson, Charles. O'Ryan 2 4 6 8 10. N.P., n.d. Inscribed “for Vince: `My stars! Why, bless my necktie!' Love, O Gloucester Jan 31 59” Dodd Call No. WPS 3449

Olson, Charles. Y ☀ X Drawings by Corrado Cagli, Poems by Charles Olson. Black Sun Press, 1948. Inscribed “The House of...(for) Vincent Ferrini Charles Olson January 20th 1966...3rd—+ firing factor of the Coordinates Y ☀ X is the K” Dodd Call No. D 1493

Portrait of Vincent Ferrini Dodd Call No. 1.58.A1