The Passion Artist
New York: Harper & Row, 1979. Uncorrected proof. Paperback. 185pp. Octavo [20 cm] Red printed wrappers. Housed in a custom clamshell with a leather label on the spine. Near Fine. Item #19197
ISBN: 0060118083
Ex-libris Carter Burden, late New York City Council member and principal owner of the the Village Voice. A direct descendent of Cornelius Vanderbilt, Carter Burden was a prominent member of the 1960s Manhattan social elite, playing host to notable names in the international literary, artistic and cultural scenes. He was photographed by Horst and sketched by Warhol. As half of a 1960's "it" couple--along with his first wife, heiress Amanda Jay Mortimer Burden--Carter's social activities were matters of intrigue and aspiration to many. The Burdens were regularly featured in society and gossip pages, fashion and lifestyle magazines, and given nicknames including "The Moon Flower Couple" and "The Burdens, whom we all must bear.
In spite of the ease of characterizing Carter Burden as a youthful old-money stereotype, those who knew actually knew him considered him sensitive, curious and artistic. After growing close to Robert Kennedy during his doomed presidential campaign, Carter was inspired by Kennedy's sense of social justice and desire to help the disenfranchised. This reflects in his City Council legacy. As summarized by the New York Times: “[Burden] served as chairman of the committee on health, fought to protect children from lead-based paint poisoning, sought to better the health and housing of the elderly, advocated the establishment of standards for prisoners' rights and introduced one of the first gay rights bills in the country. Like some of his other legislation, it did not pass, but many of his proposals did became law, in whole or part.”
In addition to literature, Carter Burden was a noted collector of art and antiques. Yet Burden's library was the centerpiece of his home. He focused on acquiring first editions, manuscripts and galley proofs of American literature published from 1870 onward.
Price: $50.00