Signed by Parra
Sermones y predicas del Cristo del Elqui
Publication: [Santiago de Chile]: Galería Epoca / Estudios Humanisticos, Universidad de Chile, 1977. First Edition.
Notes: First edition of Parra's experimental poetic work incorporating the voice of popular Chilean street preacher Domingo Zárate Vega, signed by the author, in original spiral-bound wrappers.
In this work, published in collaboration between Galería Época and the University of Chile's Department of Humanistic Studies, Parra creates a dramatic monologue through the persona of "El Cristo de Elqui." The text incorporates a few reproductions from Domingo Zárate's 1930s publications. Parra wrote these anti-poems during the Pinochet dictatorship.
Parra explained the writing of this book: "When I began to write the Sermons, my idea was that sermons and preaching are unnecessary and that it is madness to preach. That it should not be done, and that ultimately it is ridiculous. However, after the sermons and homilies were written, I consider myself at this moment a preacher. A preacher of the good news of survival."
32 leaves printed rectos (front side) only, except the title page, which has publication information on the verso (back). OCLC has several entries with different page counts, usually mistaking the title of the last poem, XXVII, for a leaf number. 8-5/8 by 12-1/2 inches.
Edition + Condition: First edition, limited to 500 copies numbered on the final leaf (this no. 314), designed by Catalina Parra. Spiral-bound quarto in original white wrappers, printed in red and black. Very good or better condition with minor wear to covers. Signed by the author on the front cover.
Item No: #364873
Price: $1,000