Helen Adam (1909-1993), influential American poet, collagist, actress (in two experimental films), and photographer, was born in Glasgow, attended Edinburgh University, wrote her first book in 1923, and became a journalist; she moved to the United States in 1939, where she lived for the rest of her life (in San Francisco and later New York City). One of only four women poets included in the influential 1960 poetry anthology, ‘The New American Poetry 1945-1960’ (edited by Donald Allen), Helen Adam was active in the San Francisco Renaissance, especially with Robert Duncan, and artist Jess Collins, as well as Allen Ginsberg and other Beat poets. She also wrote a ballad-opera, “San Francisco’s Burning,” which was produced in the 1960’s, in San Francisco, and at the Judson Memorial Church in Greenwich Village; originally published in Berkeley, in 1963, with illustrations by Jess, an expanded version was published in Brooklyn in 1985, in collaboration with her sister, Pat Adam.
1. Adam, Helen. THE QUEEN O’CROW CASTLE
San Francisco: White Rabbit Press, 1958
First edition, sewn printed wrappers, 6.5? x 8.5?, 20 pages, (200 copies). Cover illustration by Jess.
(Johnston A9)
2. Adam, Helen and Pat Adam. SAN FRANCISCO BURNING
Berkeley: Oannes, 1963
First edition, perfect bound illustrated wrappers, 7.5″ x 10″, 99 pages, 500 copies. A two-act play. Illustrated by Jess Collins.
3. Adam, Helen. AT THE WINDOW
San Francisco: San Francisco Art Festival, 1963
First edition, illustrated broadside, 20″ x 13″. Printed at Gene’s Print Shop for the 1963 San Francisco Art Festival. Illustrated by William McNeill.
4. Adam, Helen. BALLADS BY HELEN ADAM
New York: Acadia Press, 1964
First edition, saddle-stapled illustrated wrappers, 1050 copies (50 numbered copies with additional illustrations by Jess). Preface by Robert Duncan. Illustrated by Jess.
(Bertholf B12)
5. Adam, Helen. MISS LAURA
Berkeley: White Rabbit Press, 1967
First edition, folded broadside laid into printed card covers, 100 copies “for friends of the poet & the press”.
(Johnston B2)
6. Adam, Helen. COUNTING OUT RHYME
New York: Interim Books, 1972
7. Adam, Helen. SELECTED POEMS & BALLADS
New York: Helikon Press, 1974
8. Adam, Helen. DOG STAR RUN
Binghamton: Bellevue Press, 1975
9. Adam, Helen. TURN TO ME AGAIN
Storrs: University of Connecticut Library, 1975
10. Adam, Helen. TURN AGAIN TO ME AND OTHER POEMS
New York: Kulchur Foundation, 1977
11. Adam, Helen. THE LAST SECRET
Binghamton: Bellevue Press, 1978
12. Adam, Helen. GHOSTS AND GRINNING SHADOWS
Brooklyn: Hanging Loose Press, 1979
13. Adam, Helen. LAST WORDS OF HER LOVER
Vancouver: Slug Press, 1979
14. Adam, Helen. GONE SAILING
West Branch: The Toothpaste Press, 1980
15. Adam, Helen. THIRD EYE SHINING
San Francisco: Arion Press, 1980
16. Adam, Helen. MARGARETTA’S RIME
Minneapolis: Bookslinger Editions, 1982
17. Adam, Helen. SONGS WITH MUSIC
San Francisco: Aleph Press, 1982
18. Adam, Helen. SUMMER 1981
West Branch: The Toothpaste Press, 1983
19. Adam, Helen. THE BELLS OF DIS
West Branch: Coffee House Press, 1985
References consulted:
Alastair Johnston. A BIBLIOGRAPHY OF THE WHITE RABBIT PRESS
Berkeley: Poltroon Press in association with Anacapa Books, 1985
Bertholf, Robert J. ROBERT DUNCAN: A DESCRIPTIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY
Santa Rosa: Black Sparrow Press, 1986