New American Poetry Circuit Records

Collection

Identifier: 1998-0206

Staff Only

Scope and Content

The collection includes correspondence and manuscripts of members (except for Charles Stein); correspondence and manuscripts of prospective members; business records and promotional materials.

Dates

1969-1974

Access

The collection is open and available for research.

Restrictions on Use

Permission to publish from these Papers must be obtained in writing from both the University of Connecticut Libraries and the owner(s) of the copyright.

History

A San Francisco-based cooperative founded to arrange and promote poetry readings for its registered poets in universities and colleges; founded and directed by Jeanetta L. Jones from an office in Berkeley, California. The idea of the cooperative was mooted by Jeanetta Jones through her correspondence with Clayton Eshleman. Both of them were poets, though Eshleman already had a following and had produced some anthology collections. Ms. Jones sent out brochures that contained biographical data of the poets to all prospective clients throughout the country. Members included: D. Alexander, David Antin, Harvey Bialy, Paul Blackburn, Victor Coleman, Ed Dorn, Theodore Enslin, Clayton Eshleman, Larry Goodell, Jack Hirschman, Anselm Hollo, Kenneth Irby, Robert Kelly, Phillip Lamantia, Jack MacLow, Michael McClure, Daphne Marlatt, David Meltzer, Jerome Rothenberg, Armand Schwerner, Charles Stei, and Diane Wakoski.

Extent

1 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

San Francisco based cooperative that existed from 1969 to 1971, organized to arrange and promote poetry readings by its members; Jeanetta L. Jones, Director. Members included: D. Alexander, David Antin, Harvey Bialy, Paul Blackburn, Victor Coleman, Ed Dorn, Theodore Enslin, Clayton Eshleman, Larry Goodell, Jack Hirschman, Anselm Hollo, Kenneth Irby, Robert Kelly, Phillip Lamantia, Jackson MacLow, Michael McClure, Daphne Marlatt, David Meltzer, Jerome Rothenburg, Armand Schwerner, Charles Stein, Diane Wakoski. Among these poets were some of the most promising talents in literary circles at the time of the founding of the circuit, and Jeanetta had hoped to exploit their fame to the best advantage of all the poets in the co-op through some joint readings in some of the universities and colleges. Unfortunately, most of the lesser known poets could not garner the expected recognition and readings through the efforts of the circuit, and because of that Jeanetta felt compelled to give up at the end of the first season in 1971.

Custodial History

Jeanetta Jones donated the collection to Archives & Special Collections.

Related Material

Archives & Special Collections has a substantial collection of materials pertaining to American literature. For detailed information on these collections please contact the curator or ask at the Reading Room desk.

Bibliography

The New American Poetry Circuit: First Season, 1970 - 71 ( San Francisco, 1970).

Subjects

American poetry Subject Source: Fast
California (state) Subject Source: Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names
Cooperative societies Subject Source: Fast
Literature Subject Source: Fast
Oral interpretation of poetry Subject Source: Fast
San Francisco (inhabited place) Subject Source: Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names
Societies Subject Source: Fast
Twentieth century. Subject Source: Fast