Robert Kelly (b. 1935), poet
John Martin (b. 1930), publisher
Noel Young, (d. 2002), designer and printer
California publisher John Martin founded Black Sparrow Press in 1966 and gained a reputation over the years for loyal support of his authors, beginning with Charles Bukowski. Robert Kelly, founder of the Deep Image movement, editor of several journals, and author of more than 50 collections of poetry, published 20 books with Black Sparrow between 1967 and 2005. In a three-page letter to John Martin, Kelly listed corrections after seeing proofs and offered design suggestions for The Common Shore (1969). Noel Young, the commercial printer and designer who printed for Black Sparrow and other independent presses, founded his own Capra Press in 1969.
All items from Robert Kelly, The Common Shore: uncorrected proofs and letter [collection]
- The Common Shore, Books I-V: A Long Poem about America in Time. Los Angeles: Black Sparrow Press, 1969. Printed July 1969 in Santa Barbara by Noel Young for the Black Sparrow Press. This copy is one of 1000 copies in paper wrappers. Author's presentation copy inscribed for Ken [Irby], October 20, 1969
- The Common Shore. Printer’s proof from Noel Young. Inscribed for John Martin by Robert Kelly, June 19, 1969. Kelly’s glyph for the dedication page is attached
- Robert Kelly to John Martin, typed letter signed, June 19, 1969
