"ROOF was to hold all the different writing tendencies under it."

ROOF [Complete Run]

Edited by James Sherry

1977-1979

Complete ten-issue run of this L=A=N=G=U=A=G=E adjacent publication, whose Roof Books continues to this day.

Very good.

Price: $500.00

ROOF [Complete Run]

"At the time, the conflict was between the day-to-day personism of the New York School/Beat group against the 'Academic' modernism. Looking back on it today, we see the conflict as the two sides of the Objectivist tendency, but then it was a serious cultural conflict between liberal academics and the counterculture" — James Sherry

Originally begin in the summer of 1976 by James Sherry to publish the work of poets at the Naropa Institute, as well as more established but sympathetic writers, ROOF eventually evolved into a a forum primarily for younger writers, with distinct L=A=N=G=U=A=G=E sensibilities. Its indelible look — "designed by Lee Sherry in uniform white with blocks of delicately askew Antique Olive Black 'press type' neatly filling the large format 8.5" by 11" dimensions" (JACKET2) — separated it both from academically-sponsored lit mags, as well as the more homemade productions that preceded it during the mimeo revolution. Along with associate and coeditors Tom Savage (Nos. 1–3), Vicki Hudspith (Nos. 4–5), and Michael Gottlieb (Nos. 6–10), ROOF grew into a forum publishing longer and longer selections from fewer and fewer poets, a move that eventually became Roof Books.

Read more: "Roof, 1976–79 (ed. James Sherry)," Jacket2.org.

The Object

New York: Segue, 1977-1979. Original printed wraps designed by Lee Sherry. Covers toned, as often the case. Mild spoil and wear overall. Else sound.

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