Comprehension Vol. 1 No. 2 Cummings, Ridgely, Henry Miller, Irving Norman, Joseph Kostolefsky And More American Social Movements,Americana,Literature

Comprehension Vol. 1 No. 2, Ridgley Cummings, San Francisco, California, 1950. 8.5 x 11 inches. 16pp. Pulp staple-bound wrappers (staples are missing) with bold dark blue printing. Small chip to upper right corner; two-inch and half-inch closed tear to back wrapper. Light water damage to bottom corner. Interior pages are lightly toned and include a mix of bluish rag paper and glossy paper. A striking design. Good Condition. Somewhat uncommon 1950 literary avant-garde magazine from San Francisco under the helm of Ridgely Cummings. Apparently only three issues were published. Vol. 1 No. 1 featured a lengthy essay by Henry Miller and censorship. This theme continues in this volume with an entertaining pair of letters published between San Francisco Postmaster John F. Fixa and Ridgely Cummings regarding the advisability of mailing the magazine which includes a photo of Irving Norman's painting "Big City." The painting was recently removed from public view at the De Young Museum because "some of the scenes visible.were unfit for the eyes of museum visitors" according to museum director Walter Heil. This issue contains a short Henry Miller piece titled "dream and reminiscence", plus poetry by William Aberlem Joseph Kostolefsky and Bern Porter, an essay from James Schevill and a short story by Ridgely Cummings. The by-line says it all about this magazine, "a literary journal of irregular issue and unpredictable content"