WHERE THE PRIVATE PRESS MET THE ANTI-WAR MOVEMENT

Goodman, Mitchell (1923–2006)

Light From Under A Bushel. [Signed - Association Copy]

Madison: The Perishable Press Limited, 1968.
AN ULTRA-LIMITED APERÇU OF AMERICAN FINE PRINTING, INSCRIBED BY A NOTED COUNTERCULTURE POET TO BEN RAEBURN.

This exceptional association copy of Mitchell Goodman’s 1968 poetic suite represents a landmark intersection of the late-1960s anti-war movement and the pinnacle of American fine printing. 

Printed by Walter Hamady at his legendary Perishable Press, this fragile production is one of only 100 copies issued strictly hors commerce on premium handmade paper using handset type. 
Sourced directly from the private files of Horizon Press founder Ben Raeburn, this scarce volume bears a warm presentation inscription: 
'For Ben from Mitch, Temple July ’68'. 

Written by Mitchell Goodman—poet, activist, member of the Boston Five, and husband to Denise Levertov—this impeccable association represents a direct bridge between mid-century independent trade publishing, political resistance, and the elite private press movement.

KEY FEATURES
+++ Provenance: From the private files of Horizon Press publisher Ben Raeburn, acquired directly from his estate.
+++ Presentation Inscription: Inscribed and dated by the author on the flyleaf: 'For Ben from Mitch, Temple July ’68', referencing Goodman's home in Temple, Maine.
+++ Imprint: Madison, Wisconsin: The Perishable Press Limited, 1968 (Colophon notes production completed to remember Christmas 1967). First Edition, Limited State.
+++ Typography & Paper: Masterfully handset in Palatino type and printed by Walter Hamady on high-textured Highclere handmade J. Barcham Green paper.
+++ Specs: 24 cm (approx. 6 by 9.5 inches); 15 leaves, hand-sewn into Fabriano wrappers with a deckle fore-edge text block.

LIMITATION : This volume represents a non-commercial issue of Mitchell Goodman's poetry. As recorded in institutional bibliographies of the press, the entire edition was restricted to just 100 copies, all designated hors commerce for presentation to the author's friends and associates. No trade edition was issued.

CONDITION: Fine . The hand-sewn text block remains tight, crisp, and structurally sound, with the original string-stitched binding completely secure. The internal pages are immaculate, bright, and free of any foxing, text markings, or signs of handling beyond the author’s clear fountain-pen inscription. The original pale green handmade-paper wrappers and matching outer paper jacket show mild, uniform toning along the delicate edges and a touch of light handling, including a very minor, soft bump to one corner. An remarkably well-preserved example of an inherently fragile, handmade structure.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE —
The Perishable Press, established by Walter Hamady in 1964, is widely regarded as one of the most influential and fiercely independent private presses in American history. Hamady treated bookmaking as a total art form, merging handset European typefaces with custom, highly tactile handmade papers.

This copy of Light From Under A Bushel serves as a remarkable cultural crossroads. Mitchell Goodman was a central figure in both the post-war literary scene—married to the celebrated poet Denise Levertov—and the 1960s anti-war movement. In 1968, the exact year of this book's distribution, Goodman was prosecuted in a highly publicized federal trial as one of the Boston Five for his open resistance to the Vietnam War.

The inscription to Ben Raeburn highlights the deep mutual respect between the mainstream avant-garde trade and the underground fine press network. Raeburn’s Horizon Press was famous for championing uncompromising artistic voices like Frank Lloyd Wright and James Purdy. This volume, sent from Goodman’s retreat in Temple, Maine, directly to Raeburn’s desk, stands as an intimate, primary testament to the intellectual and political alliances that defined the 1960s American counterculture.

SCHOLARLY FEATURES
+++ The Perishable Press Legacy: Represents a seminal early production by Walter Hamady, a cornerstone figure in 20th-century American private printing celebrated for his innovative use of handmade papers, exquisite presswork, and structural design.
+++ Counterculture & The Boston Five: Documents the literary output of Mitchell Goodman during the height of his political notoriety as a Vietnam-era activist who, along with Dr. Benjamin Spock and William Sloane Coffin, was indicted as part of the Boston Five for conspiring to aid draft resistance.
+++ Premium Materials: Features premium British J. Barcham Green handmade paper and Italian Fabriano wrappers, reflecting Hamady's uncompromising commitment to international material aesthetics.

SUBJECTS: Mitchell Goodman, Walter Hamady, Perishable Press, Ben Raeburn Association, Denise Levertov Circle, Boston Five, Vietnam War Protest, Fine Press Movement, Handmade Paper, American Counterculture, Limited Edition, Association Copy, Private Press Poetry, Modern First Edition.

BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCE: 
Institutional bibliographies record this title (Title #23 in Perishable Press checklists) as consisting of 15 leaves, measuring 24 cm, hand-sewn in Fabriano wrappers. The colophon confirms that all 100 copies were designated hors commerce to remember Christmas 1967, meaning no commercial trade edition ever existed.
+++ Core References: University of Iowa Libraries Special Collections (The Walter Hamady / Perishable Press Archive); Library of Congress Private Press Checklists; The Perishable Press Limited 1964–1984: A Twenty Year Bibliography.

Item #21216

Price: $375.00