The Totem Protectorates

San Francisco: Hermes Free Press, 1972. First edition. Paperback. Very Good +. Folio. Sewn wrappers. 6 pp. Printed on Bergstrom papers with the text set on Centaur & Cloister types. Rare anonymous collaboration between Allen Ginsberg and Gary Snyder. Subtitled "Being the Assignment of Same to the Honorable Senators, Lawmakers of the United States Government, toward the Preservation of Life and Spirit in these Lands. This Investiture Proclaimed in Grace Cathedral at the Autumnal Equinox, 1971." Published by the Hermes Free Press, an offshoot of the Zephyrus Press of San Francisco. Noted on page 175 of Alistair Johnston's "Zephyrus Image: A Bibliography" who notes "10 1/4 x 14 3/4" 12 page book, sewn into brown Tweedweave cover, "printed on Bergstrom papers at Hermes Free Press in San Francisco Spring 1972" Centaur type in brown on cover. This book assigns specific endangered plants and animals to each U.S. Senator. Originally in printed manila envelope (lacking with this copy). One copy was mailed to each U.S. Senator. Rob Rusk writes ... The Totem Protectorates appeared in another issue of Place magazine, half on the inside front cover and half on the inside back cover - the Neon Rose issue - tho I'm unsure whether it was photocopied or reset". Interestingly, neither the Morgan bibliography of Ginsberg or the McNeil bibliography of Snyder makes mention of this independent piece. Only four copies located in O.C.L.C. Although the print run is unstated, according again to Johnston, the typical Zephyrus Image publications were generally produced in small quantities, perhaps 100 to 200 copies. Scarce item.