Although it was a rainy, cloudy day, hundreds of people shuffled along the aisles in the Karpeles Manuscript Library on Saturday.
We had our table set up right next to the Special Collections at University at Buffalo table and was right next to Michael Basinski, the curator of the Special Collections and FLUXUS poet extraordinaire. He had us laughing throughout the fair. (We performed with him at WNYBAC and at the Anderson Gallery at UB and at the Albright-Knox.)
There were poets reading on the second floor at ten minute intervals. We, unfortunately, were unable to see most of them read because the table had to be manned. (Special thanks to Anne for looking after the items for the five hours we were there!) The fair, from beginning to end, was absolutely chaotic. People were everywhere and some brought along their kids. Lucky for them, we had free buttons.
Patrick sold his book, Home Poems and when we were together in 1954. Letson sold his book, Me and Me In A Lifeboat, and I sold my chapbook, The Temple of Misanthropes.
The fair, as you can see, was pretty much packed.
We also sat next to a screen printer who made some great posters and t-shirts. This one was our favorite:
The fair was tiring, but ultimately another learning lesson, and an occasion to remember.