Hannah Weiner Papers MSS 504

http://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/kt5g500434 No online items Hannah Weiner Papers MSS 504 Finding aid prepared by Mandeville Special Collections Library Mandeville Special Collections Library 9500 Gilman Drive La Jolla, California, 92093-0175 858-534-2533 spcoll@ucsd.edu Copyright 2005 Hannah Weiner Papers MSS 504 MSS 504 1

Descriptive Summary Title: Hannah Weiner Papers Identifier/Call Number: MSS 504 Contributing Institution: Mandeville Special Collections Library La Jolla, California 92093-0175 Language of Material: English Physical Description: 6.5 Linear feet16 archives boxes, 1 cardfile box and 3 oversize folders Date (inclusive): 1946-2002 Abstract: Papers of Hannah Weiner (1928-1997), a New York City poet and significant member of the "language-centered" group of writers. The papers, covering the years 1946-2002, contain notebooks, typescripts of poems, prose works, typed transcriptions of notebooks, audiorecordings, and miscellaneous materials. Included are materials for Clairvoyant Journals 1974: March - June Retreat (1978), Code Poems: From the International Code of Signals for the Use of All (1982), The Fast (1992), The Magritte Poems (1970), and Spoke (1984). Creator: Weiner, Hannah Scope and Content of Collection The Hannah Weiner Papers contain notebooks (1971-1979, 1984, 1990-1992, and 1997) and typed transcriptions from the notebooks which provided the basis for several of her books. Also included are significant unpublished materials in both notebook and manuscript form, typescripts of poems and prose works, cassette audiorecordings of several poetry readings, and a small amount of miscellaneous material. The bulk of the collection dates between 1971 and 1979 with some documentation of the early 1990s and the year prior to Weiner's death. The materials are arranged in three series: 1), 2) MISCELLANEOUS MATERIALS, and 3) AUDIORECORDINGS. SERIES 1: The series is arranged in three subseries: A) Notebooks, B) Manuscripts and C) Posthumous Publications. The first subseries contains bound notebooks which are arranged chronologically. There are three primary sequences of notebooks, 1971-1975, 1976-1979, and 1990-1992. These notebooks consist largely of undated entries which document Weiner's creative process. The second subseries gathers typed transcriptions from the notebooks, as well as typescripts of poems published in magazines or anthologies and short prose pieces. The final subseries contains correspondence sent between Charles Bernstein and various other editors for the posthumous publication of some of Weiner's well-known works, including Clairvoyant Journal and Page. Editor-annotated manuscripts and page proofs are also included. SERIES 2: MISCELLANEOUS MATERIALS The MISCELLANEOUS MATERIALS series contains several versions of resumes and biographical lists of artistic activities and publications. It also includes miscellaneous photographs and memorabilia. SERIES 3: AUDIORECORDINGS The AUDIO RECORDINGS series contains tape recordings made of Hannah Weiner's readings between 1974 and 1994. All of the readings occurred in New York City, largely at the Poetry Project, St. Mark's. Biography Hannah Weiner was born on November 4, 1928, in Providence, Rhode Island, and graduated from Providence Classical High School in June 1946. She attended Radcliffe College and graduated with a B.A., magna cum laude, in English Literature in 1950. After a brief marriage, she took various jobs in New York City, and began writing poetry around 1963. Her first book, The Magritte Poems, was published in 1966. In the late 60s, Weiner participated in several events within the visual arts scene in New York City. Her most notable "poetry event" was the International Code of Signals. In the early 70s, she commenced her primary body of written work, a series of experimental journals which were in part "clairvoyantly" dictated. I See Words became both her manifesto and method of composition. Weiner's Clairvoyant Journal 1974 was published by Angel Hair Books in 1978, followed by LittleBooks/Indians (Roof Books, 1980) and Nijole's House (Potes and Poets, 1981). She became one of the most prominent individuals involved with the "language-centered" movement of poets and experimental prose writers. Her work was featured in Ron Silliman's anthology, In the American Tree, Douglas Messerli's Language Poetries, and The L=A=N=G=U=A=G=E Book, edited by Charles Bernstein and Bruce Andrews. She was awarded a creative writing fellowship by the National Endowment for the Arts in 1986. Other important collections of her poetry include Spoke (Sun & Moon Press, 1984), The Fast (United Artists Books, 1992), Silent Teachers Remembered Sequel (Tender Button, 1994), and We Speak Silent (Roof Books, 1996). Weiner's manuscript Page, as well as selections from her Clairvoyant Journal and Little Books/Indians have been published posthumously by various presses. Hannah Weiner Papers MSS 504 MSS 504 2

Hannah Weiner died in September 1997 in New York City. Preferred Citation Hannah Weiner Papers, MSS 0504. Mandeville Special Collections Library, UCSD. Acquisition Information Not Available Restrictions Original audiorecordings in box 17 are restricted. Users must request that a listening copy be produced. Publication Rights Publication rights are held by the creator of the collection. Subjects and Indexing Terms Weiner, Hannah. Clairvoyant journal Weiner, Hannah. Code poems Weiner, Hannah. Spoke Weiner, Hannah -- Archives American poetry--20th century Notebooks Box 1, Folder 1 Notebook #2 - The Hell Book begins January 24, 1971 Box 1, Folder 2 Notebook #3 - Hell Book II ends ca. 1971 Box 1, Folder 3 Notebook #4 - Hell Book III Box 1, Folder 4 Notebook #5 - Heaven Book Box 1, Folder 5 Notebook #6 - Ides of March begins March 15, 1971 Box 1, Folder 6 Notebook #7 - At B Blue's Box 1, Folder 7 Notebook #8 - Apts for Rent begins March 15, 1971 Box 1, Folder 8 Notebook #9 - The Rose Continued Box 1, Folder 9 Notebook #10 - The Bus Terminal Box 1, Folder 10 Notebook #11 Box 1, Folder 11 Notebook #12 - The Loft Box 2, Folder 1 Notebook #13 - Halfway through Box 2, Folder 2 Notebook #14 - (No Name) Box 2, Folder 3 Notebook #15 - New Place Box 2, Folder 4 Notebook #16 - Orpheum Box 2, Folder 5 Notebook #17 June 21, 1971 Box 2, Folder 6 Notebook #18 - Toilet Paper Box 2, Folder 7 Notebook #19-4 Days Box 2, Folder 8 Notebook #20 - Mareng Again Box 2, Folder 9 Notebook #21 - Country 1 Box 2, Folder 10 Notebook #22 - Country 2 Box 2, Folder 11 Notebook #23 - The Last Week Box 3, Folder 1 Notebook #24 - Almost Box 3, Folder 2 Notebook #25 - Capture Box 3, Folder 3 Notebook #26 - More Country Box 3, Folder 4 Notebook #27 - More Country 2 Box 3, Folder 5 Notebook #28 - More Country 3 Box 3, Folder 6 Notebook #29 - More Country 4 Box 3, Folder 7 Notebook #30 - Astrology - MC5 Box 3, Folder 8 Notebook #32 - City Box 3, Folder 9 Notebook #33 - Leap Year Box 3, Folder 10 Notebook #34 - Potatos [sic] Hannah Weiner Papers MSS 504 MSS 504 3

Notebooks Box 3, Folder 12 Notebook #36 - E Box 3, Folder 14 Notebook #38 - Blue Book Box 4, Folder 1 Notebook #39 Box 4, Folder 2 Notebook #40 - I Box 4, Folder 3 Notebook #41 - The Book of Exorcism (Between I and _) Part 1 Box 4, Folder 4 Notebook #42 - The Book of Exorcism (Between I and _) Part 2 Box 4, Folder 5 Notebook #43 - The Book of Exorcism (Between I and _) Part 3 Box 4, Folder 6 Notebook #44-1972, August Box 4, Folder 7 Notebook #45 Box 4, Folder 8 Notebook #46 Box 4, Folder 9 Notebook #47 Box 4, Folder 10 Notebook #48 Box 4, Folder 11 Notebook #49 1972 Box 4, Folder 12 Notebook #50 - Funny Box 5, Folder 1 Notebook #51 1972 Box 5, Folder 2 Notebook #52 - Autumn, 1972 Box 5, Folder 3 Notebook #53 - "no wrong" 1972 Box 5, Folder 4 Notebook #54 November 17, 1972 Box 5, Folder 5 Notebook #55 - Eating November 25, 1972 Box 5, Folder 6 Notebook #56 - Eating 1972 Box 5, Folder 7 Notebook #57 1972 Box 5, Folder 8 Notebook #58 - End of December, 1972 Box 5, Folder 9 Notebook #59 January 1, 1973 Box 5, Folder 10 Notebook #60 January 6, 1973 Box 5, Folder 11 Notebook #66 March 11, 1973 Box 6, Folder 1 Notebook #67 March 21, 1973 Box 6, Folder 2 Notebook #68 April 4, 1973 Box 6, Folder 3 Notebook #73 July 7, 1973 Box 6, Folder 4 Notebook #74 July 31, 1973 Box 6, Folder 5 Notebook #75 August 30, 1973 Box 6, Folder 6 Notebook #77 December, 1973 Box 6, Folder 7 Notebook #80 January, 1974 Box 6, Folder 8 Notebook #81 March - April, 1974 Box 6, Folder 9 Notebook #85 February - March, 1975 Box 6, Folder 10 Notebook #87 April 27, May - June, 1975 Box 7, Folder 1 Notebook #98 - You Scribble in It (Retreat 76?) Box 7, Folder 2 Notebook #99 - After June Retreat June - July, 1976 Box 7, Folder 3 Notebook #104A - " I Like OK" December 7, 1976 Box 7, Folder 4 Notebook #107 - Gray Book May 13, 1977 Box 7, Folder 5 Notebook #107 - Friday May 13, 1977 Box 7, Folder 6 Notebook #108 - Gray Book May 19-22, 1977 Box 7, Folder 7 Notebook #109 - Gray Book July 1, 1977 and February, 1978 Box 7, Folder 8 Notebook #111 - Black Book - Sheets October - December, 1977 Box 7, Folder 9 Notebook #111 - Sheets - I see words (copy) October - December, 1977 Box 7, Folder 10 Notebook #122 - Charlemagne (cover note: father dies dead) June 11, 1978 Box 7, Folder 11 Notebook #123 - Cont June 14, 1978 Box 7, Folder 12 Notebook #128 - I Just Remembered It October 14, 1974(?) Box 7, Folder 13 Notebook #129 - October 26 Box 7, Folder 14 Notebook #131 - Page 4 October 29 Box 7, Folder 15 Notebook #138 - Silent Cont April 7-24, 30, 1979 Box 7, Folder 16 Notebook #142 July 19, 1979 Box 7, Folder 17 Notebook - 1984, July (The Zuo One?) Part 4-83 lines Box 8, Folder 1 Notebook #2 April 23, 1990 Box 8, Folder 2 Notebook #1 June 27 - September 13, 1990 Box 8, Folder 3 Notebook #1 September 14 - October 1, 1990 Box 8, Folder 4 Notebook #3 October 1-4, 1990 Box 8, Folder 5 Notebook #4 October 5-8, 1990 Box 8, Folder 6 Notebook #5 October 9-15, 1990 Hannah Weiner Papers MSS 504 MSS 504 4

Notebooks Box 8, Folder 7 Notebook #6 October 15-31, 1990 Box 8, Folder 8 Notebook #7 November 1-20, 1990 Box 8, Folder 9 Notebook #8 November 20 - December 7, 1990 Box 8, Folder 10 Notebook #9 December 8, 1990 - January 8, 1991 Box 9, Folder 1 Notebook #10 Jnauary 11 - August 13, 1991 Box 9, Folder 2 Notebook #11 August 14 - October 31, 1991 Box 9, Folder 3 Notebook #12 November 1, 1991 - January 12, 1992 Box 9, Folder 4 Notebook #13 January 13, 1992 Box 9, Folder 5 Notebook #14 Autumn, 1992 (?) Box 9, Folder 6 Notebook #15 September 29, 1992 - January, 1993 Box 9, Folder 7 Notebook #25 July 15, 1997 Box 9, Folder 8 Notebook #26 November 13, 1997 Box 9, Folder 9 Unnumbered notebook Box 9, Folder 10, Journal entries in drawing pad, plus artwork. Undated. Oversize Oversize FB27104 Manuscripts Box 10, Folder 1 1990 Welcome in Sentences. Typescript Box 10, Folder 2 Abazoo. Manuscript and photocopy 1988-1988 Box 10, Folder 3 All Words are Seen. Typescript ca. 1979-1980 Box 10, Folder 4 Article subtitle. Typescript 1990-1990 Box 10, Folder 5 Astral Visions. Typescript Box 10, Folder 6 Book of Revelations. Manuscript Box 10, Folder 7 Children from the Trees. Typescript published in Little Lights 5. 1982-1982 Clairvoyant Journal Box 10, Folder 8 1973 Original - "Retreat" June, 1973 Box 10, Folder 9 1973 Original - "Original retyped June 1973" Box 10, Folder 10 1973 Original July - September, 1973 Box 10, Folder 11 1973 Original October - November, Christmas, 1973 Box 10, Folder 12 1973 original (hand-drafted pages) September - November, 1973 Box 10, Folder 13 1974 typsecript Box 10, Folder 14 1974, March - June retreat. Photocopy of manuscript, stapled, with handwritten notes on final page Box 10, Folder 15 1974, cuts Box 10, Folder 16 Clairvoyant Journal typescript. 1975-1977 Box 10, Folder 17 Clairvoyant Journal. Published edition used as a reading copy and signed by Steve McCaffery. Box 11, Folder 1 Code Poem. Visuals and graphics 1968-1968 Box 11, Folder 2 Code Poems Box 11, Folder 3 Complete Edition. Typescript and photocopy 1990 Country Girl Box 11, Folder 4 Typescript transcription with annotations of notebooks #30 and #31 Box 11, Folder 5 Typescript transcription with annotations of notebooks #21, #22, #26, #28, and # 29 Box 11, Folder 6 Typescript 1971 Box 11, Folder 7 Dear Andrew letter peyote,... Typescript. Dark Ages Class - the Daisy Root #1 ending 1989 Box 11, Folder 8 Dear Douglas - Merida, Christmas 1964. Photocopy published in El Corno Emplumado #18, April 1966 Box 11, Folder 9 Early poems Box 11, Folder 10 Explain Yourself and untitled journal entries beginning "A Beautiful Sunday..." Numbered pages 42-145 Box 11, Folder 11 Fast Day (Country Girl?), Sections 1-10 Box 11, Folder 12 Fast Day, Sections 11-23 Box 12, Folder 1 Fast Day, Section 31 Box 12, Folder 2 Feb. 11 (I Ams [sic] Spring) and Feb. 15 (I Ams [sic] a Little Word Book). Typescript Hannah Weiner Papers MSS 504 MSS 504 5

Manuscripts Box 12, Folder 3 Great Me Sentences. Typescript Box 12, Folder 4 Guatamala photocopy of typescript published in New American Writing #7, Spring 1991 Box 12, Folder 5 Hannah youre scared a little plus subject. Typescript Box 12, Folder 6 I Believe. Typescript Box 12, Folder 7 I See Words Box 12, Folder 8 I See Words. Published in the Ron Silliman issue of The Difficulties, vol. 2, no. 2 (1985) Box 12, Folder 9 I was awakened this morning by the sound of the train horn. Typescript Box 12, Folder 10 I don't doubt. Typescript Box 12, Folder 11 If workshop. Photocopy of typescript International Code of Signals Box 12, Folder 12 Script and graphic material 1968 Box 12, Folder 13 Original graphics in black-and-white and colored pencil Box 12, Folder 14 Slides Box 13, Folder 1 Art object Box 14, Folder 1 Jackson Mac Low. Photocopy of typescript Box 14, Folder 2, Just like Charles likes it / I seem yellow words. Poem composed on six sheets of a Oversize FB27105 watercolor pad Box 14, Folder 3 Magritte Poems. Published in Poetry Newsletter (Sacramento, Ca.) 1970 Box 14, Folder 4 Many lit let times I counseled you... Manuscript Box 14, Folder 5 Meaning Bus Halifax to Queensbury. Typescript published in Tuyone (Fall 1990) Mostly About the Sentence Box 14, Folder 6 Manuscript Box 14, Folder 7 Typescript published in Jimmy and Lucy's House of "K" (1986) 1984 Box 14, Folder 8 Mother thinks thats a great / poem but I should cut it out. Typescript Box 14, Folder 9 My period plus my second line. Typescript Box 14, Folder 10 Narrative. Typescript collaboration between Abigail Child and Hannah Weiner published in Avec #3 (Fall, 1990) without identifying initials next to stanzas Box 14, Folder 11 Obligated. A short typescript prose piece about Ted Berrigan Box 14, Folder 12 Once there was a girl... Manuscript Box 14, Folder 13 Other Person. Typescript Page Box 14, Folder 14 A manuscript dated 1990, June 4. Three sections: Page (44 pages), Articles (53 pages), Same Page (19 pages) Box 14, Folder 15 1990 manuscript sent to Charles Bernstein Box 14, Folder 16, Large mailing envelope with handwritten notes Oversize FB27106 Box 15, Folder 1 Pictures and Early Words. Typescript transcription of notebooks #48, 49, 50, 51, 52, and 55 dated September 1972 Box 15, Folder 2 Radcliffe and Guatemalan Women. Typescript. Box 15, Folder 3 Remembered Sequel. Photocopy of typescript Box 15, Folder 4 Research important conflict two obedient. Typescript 1990 Box 15, Folder 5 Returning to the Edge. Typescript published in Gandhabba #4 1986 Box 15, Folder 6 Saturday, May 11. Published in Only Prose (July 1977) Box 15, Folder 7 Sign Language of the American Indian. Typescript Box 15, Folder 8 Sins Deadly Some. Typescript Box 15, Folder 9 Sis explain energy we feel slightly without... Typescript Box 15, Folder 10 Skies. Typescript Box 15, Folder 11 Some. Photocopy of typescript published in Acts #3 (1984) Box 15, Folder 12 Sorry no title. Typescript Spoke Box 15, Folder 13 Original - Book 2 of 5 June - July, 1981 Box 15, Folder 14 Original - Book 3 of 5 1981 Box 15, Folder 15 Strict obedience. Typescript Box 15, Folder 16 Subject. Photocopy of typescript Box 15, Folder 17 Subliminate. Typescript Box 15, Folder 18 Ubliminal. Typescript Hannah Weiner Papers MSS 504 MSS 504 6

Manuscripts Box 15, Folder 19 Untitled prose piece ("It is interesting that while my mind was open..."). Read at Symposium on Poetry of the Future, St. Mark's Church 1989-1989 Box 15, Folder 20 Untitled poetics statement. Published in The Politics of Poetic Form, edited by Charles Bernstein (Roof, 1990) Box 15, Folder 21 [Words]. Typescript transcription of notebooks #44, 46 and 47 Posthumous Publications Box 15, Folder 22 Correspondence concerning publication of Page and other manuscripts 1999-2002 Box 15, Folder 23 Clairvoyant Journal - Two annotated proofs including correspondence concerning their republication 2000 Box 15, Folder 24 Little Books/Indians - Two manuscript copies of selections from the publication, one with corrections Page Box 15, Folder 25 1990 manuscript sent to Charles Bernstein by the author. Bernstein sent the manuscript to various editors after Weiner's death; their annotations are on post-it notes Box 15, Folder 26 Page proofs with August 2000 changes and cover note from Charles Bernstein Box 15, Folder 27 Page proofs with May 2002 changes Box 16, Folder 1 Manuscript used for Roof Books' 2002 publication. Annotated by typesetter Box 16, Folder 2 Start comfort - Proofs of the poem and letter from Sharon Angle to Charles Bernstein concerning its publication 2002 MISCELLANEOUS MATERIALS Box 16, Folder 3 Antin, Eleanor Invitation to "Portraits of Eight New York Women" (1970, November 21 - December 6): Naomi Dash, Amy Goldin, Margaret Mead, Rochelle Owens, Yvonne Rainer, Carolee Scheemann, Lynne Traiger, Hannah Weiner. Hotel Chelsea, New York City. Box 16, Folder 4 Awareness and Communication - Instructions to a writing class Box 16, Folder 5 Biography / Resume Box 16, Folder 6 Doonesbury cartoon by Garry Trudeau (1982, January 9) Box 16, Folder 7 High school diploma June 13, 1946 Box 16, Folder 8 Magazine submission list 1974-1975 Box 16, Folder 9 Manuscript / book chronology 1966-1989 Box 16, Folder 10 Open House: 1969, October 4, 5 and 19 Schedule for "Hannah Weiner's Open House," featuring Vito Acconci, Bernadette Mayer, John Perreult, Arakwawa, et al. Photograph by Jim Stephens. Box 16, Folder 11 Box 16, Folder 12 Photograph - Seven people including Hannah Weiner, Anne Waldman, and Bernadette Mayer. Photograph by Robert R Publication and performance list AUDIORECORDINGS Box 17, Folder 1 Astral Visions - Reading with L. Brown (1992-1994?). Reading followed by H.W.'s post-reading comments Hannah Weiner Papers MSS 504 MSS 504 7

AUDIORECORDINGS Box 17, Folder 2 Clairvoyant Journal Recorded at the Poetry Project, St. Mark's (New York City), March 1976 and re-broadcast on radio (note: recording on side B only with several minute gap after first ten minutes). Box 17, Folder 3 Pah - Reading / talk in New York City with Bruce Andrews November 20, 1994 Weiner reads for 25 minutes on side A and for a few minutes on side B. Andrews does not read on this tape. Box 17, Folder 4 Reading - St. Mark's, from Three Voice Journal (1974) November 2, 1977 All of Side 1, six minutes on Side 2. Box 17, Folder 5 Reading at the Poetry Project, St, Mark's. October 28, 1992. Introduction by Ed Friedman Box 17, Folder 6 Audio track of Phill Niblock's film of Hannah Weiner (made in 1974). Retreat from Clairvoyant Journal June, 1974 Hannah Weiner Papers MSS 504 MSS 504 8