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[Joan Vollmer, Morningside heights, NYC, ca 1944. c Allen Ginsberg Estate]
[WS Burroughs and Joan Vollmer, East Texas, August 1947. c Allen Ginsberg Estate]
[La Prensa September 1951]
So much to post, so little time! But since September 6 was the anniversary of Joan’s death, I wanted to draw attention to James Grauerholz’ excellent & meticulously researched essay on the subject, the event which marks one of the most, if not the most pivotal points in WS Burroughs’ life. ( for Joan that goes without saying!) Joan’s role in the early days of the beats can’t be overstated, it was her apartment where Allen first met Kerouac, and her wit and intelligence easily matched those around her as Herbert Huncke and Allen would later recall. At any rate, Kudos to Grauerholz for some amazing work here. >>
More recently, Jed Birmingham’s take on the “William Tell act” posted on Reality Studio dissects it’s symbolism as well as the Burroughs family dynamic from Mort down to Billy Jr.
ginsbergblog 
