Lot 304

Previous image preload Next image preload

Description:

Allen Ginsberg To Neal Cassady! Signed Zen Buddhist Manual, "The Ten Oxherding Pictures"

A copy of "The Ten Oxherding Pictures" by Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki. Kyoto: Sekai Seiten Kanko Kyokai, 1948. Signed and inscribed by Allen Ginsberg to Neal Cassady: "For Neal / & Family / June 1953 / - Allen New York." The book measures 5" x 7.25" and runs 32pp, unpaginated. A vertical fold from top to bottom at middle-right appears on all pages. Front cover has light tearing at corners and soiling at left margin from binding staples. Expected age toning and scattered foxing to pages. Housed in a pristine velvet-lined black case with gilt titling, 5.75" x 8", custom made by The Chelsea Bindery.

Ginsberg gifted this copy to Cassady for his birthday in 1953, the year both men turned 27 years old. In published correspondence between Ginsberg and Cassady in June of 1953, this specific volume is mentioned: "Dear Neal / Your letter arrived on June 5, a little late for my 27th birthday, this ought to arrive a little late for yours (is it late June?) I enclose a small birthday present, a book of mystical pictures which are self explanatory & very amuzing (10 Bulls) I think I mentioned it as part of Zen stories, in last letter."

The gift was well-received, albeit belated, as noted in Cassady's reply several days later, on June 29, 1953: "Dear Allen, Oriental Ogler / Thanks for oxherd pictures, I like much. My birthday Feb 8." This was an important year for Ginsberg and his spiritual journey. He was inspired to share his experience with his friends after encountering Buddhism for the very first time during a visit to the First Zen Institute of New York City that year, where he examined Buddhist teachings in the Zen Institute’s library. 

"The Ten Oxherding Pictures" is a series of short poems and accompanying drawings used in the Zen tradition to describe the stages of a practitioner's progress toward enlightenment, and their return to society to enact wisdom and compassion. The earliest version was probably made in the 11th century and contained only five pictures, in which the ox's color changes from dark to light, representing the gradual development of the practitioner. The ox is one of the original metaphors for meditation practice.

Allen Ginsberg (1926-1997) was an American poet and writer. As a student at Columbia University in the 1940s, he began friendships with William S. Burroughs and Jack Kerouac, forming the core of the Beat Generation. Ginsberg vigorously opposed militarism, economic materialism, and sexual repression, and he embodied various aspects of this counterculture with his views on drugs, sex, multiculturalism, hostility to bureaucracy, and openness to Eastern religions. One of his most significant, and most controversial, proponents was his openness about homosexuality. Ginsberg is best known for his poem "Howl" (1956), which he dedicated to writer Carl Solomon (1928-1993). It is considered to be one of the great works of American literature.

Neal Cassady (1926-1968) was a major figure of the Beat Generation of the 1950s and the psychedelic and counterculture movements of the 1960s. He was prominently featured as himself in the first draft version of Jack Kerouac's novel On the Road, and served as the model for the character Dean Moriarty in the 1957 version of that book. In many of Kerouac's later books, Cassady is represented by the character Cody Pomeray. Cassady also appeared in Allen Ginsberg's poems, and in several other works of literature by other writers.

Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki (1870-1966) was a Japanese-American Buddhist monk, philosopher, religious scholar, translator, and writer. His essays on Buddhism, Zen and Shin were instrumental in spreading interest in Far Eastern philosophy to the West. Suzuki was also a prolific translator of Chinese, Japanese, and Sanskrit literature. Suzuki spent several lengthy stretches teaching or lecturing at Western universities. He was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1963.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Unless otherwise indicated, we do our own in-house worldwide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses who proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with signature required, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice. If any changes to the shipping address need to be made, you must inform us immediately.***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third Party Shipping Option: If a third party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third party Please copy and paste this following link into your browser: http://universityarchives.com/UserFiles/ShippingInfo.pdf. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third party shippers.

After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 10 business days following receipt of full payment for item.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Wilton, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

May 31, 2023 11:00 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000