#letters from rosmarie & keith waldrop

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Milestone Monday

Today, December 11th, we celebrate the birthday of acclaimed poet Keith Waldrop (1932-2023). Waldrop was a prominent voice in American poetry and renowned translator of French literature. He was known for writing poetry that expressed a fascination with the world and philosophical perspectives. Waldrop met his wife Rosmarie (b. 1935) while stationed in Germany during the 1950’s and the two established Burning Deck Press in 1961 after settling in Providence, RI. The press was committed to publishing experimental poetry and prose for fifty-six years and closed in 2017. 

In honor of Waldrop’s birthday, we’re sharing Letters from Rosmarie & Keith Waldrop. Published in 1970 by Burning Deck in an edition of 500 copies, Letters from Rosmarie & Keith Waldrop is a collection of concrete poetry that plays with the visual elements of typography. The couple collaborated on the book, alternating the authorship of each page to create a delightful conversation and graphic menagerie. Special Collections holds several of Keith and Rosmarie’s collaborations and over 120 Burning imprints accessible here. 

View other Milestone Monday posts.

– Jenna, Special Collections Graduate Intern