A NEARLY COMPLETE COLLECTION OF SIGMA PORTFOLIO – THREE NUMBERS SIGNED. 1964.

A rare, part run of 19 numbers and a single relatively unknown and undocumented issue. Trocchi tried to create a new direct relationship between reader and writer within the confines of this cheaply produced magazine. The author’s adherence to the Situationist International and his links to many artists, poets, playwrights, political theorists and significant members of the counter culture made these some of the most influential political texts in English available at that time. Individual copies of the Sigma Portfolios in good condition are hard to find, difficult to identify and even incomplete runs are prized.(Sigma Portfolio)
Burroughs, William
S. MARTIN’S FOLLY (= Sigma Portfolio, No. 1)
London: Project Sigma, 1964
34 x 42cm unfolded size (2pp) but folded into two (as issued). The design of this, Trocchi’s first release under the banner of the Sigma Portfolio, was a large poster designed to resemble the front page of a newspaper and originally intended to be displayed in subway stations until the project became unfeasible. The Burrough’s text is conjoined with “The Barbecue” by Trocchi, and other smaller contributions. Apart from the folding, there are some paper tears at the top and some browning but this is very scarce.

THE INVISIBLE INSURRECTION Sigma Portfolio, No 2
London: Project Sigma, 1964.
33 x 21cm, four, single sided mimeographed sheets stapled at the corner. Project Sigma was Trocchi’s attempt to send his Situationist inspired writing direct to the reader without the mediation of a major publishing house or even any design. Here his influential “Invisible Insurrection of a Million Minds” is reprinted from the Saltire Review of the previous year. Fine. This copy is stapled behind Sigma Portfolio Nr 14 offered below – as was Trocchi’s habit to collate all available numbers of the portfolio from his stocks and send them attached to new numbers, especially to new members.

SIGMA: A TACTICAL BLUEPRINT Sigma Portfolio, No 3
London: Project Sigma, 1964.
33 x 21cm, three, single sided mimeographed sheets stapled at the corner. Content of “Sigma: A Tactical Blueprint” by Alexander Trocchi, an important early text outlining plans for the Sigma Project. Fine.

POTLACH Sigma Portfolio, No 4
London: Project Sigma, 1964
33 x 21cm, four, single sided mimeographed sheets stapled at the corner. Content of “Potlatch” an anonymous text asking for contributions for an interpersonal log-book for Sigma members. The text continues with an in-depth explanation of Situationist theory. Fine.

SIGMA GENERAL INFORMATION Sigma Portfolio, No. 5
London: Project Sigma, 1964
33 x 21cm, four, single sided mimeographed sheets stapled at the corner. Content of a reprint of “Sigma: General Information” an anonymous text conjuring the influences of Wallace Berman, R. D. Laing, and Situationist theory. Fine.

THE PRESENT SITUATION Sigma Portfolio, No. 6
London: Project Sigma, 1964
33 x 21cm, six, double sided mimeographed sheets stapled at the corner. Content of a paper from the pseudo-scientist R. D. Laing, as presented at the 6th International Congress for Psychotherapy. A mixture of neo-Freudian twaddle and an adaptation of existentialism. Fine.

THE UNOFFICIAL POETRY CONFERENCE MOVING TIMES SPECIAL SUPPLIMENT Sigma Portfolio, No. 7
London/Edinburgh: Project Sigma/Moving Times, 1964
33 x 21cm, single 2pp mimeographed content of Trocchi’s diatribe against the Daily Express’s reactionary (quelle surprise!) reporting of the Unofficial Poetry Conference which took place during the Edinburgh Festival. Fine.

SIGNED BY TROCCHI

REVOLT BY MICHEAL MCCLURE. Sigma Portfolio, No. 9
London: Project Sigma, 1964. 33 x 21cm, mimeographed sheet. Signed by Trocchi.LETTER TO ROBERT KELLY Sigma Portfolio, No. 10
London: Project Sigma, 1964
33 x 21cm, four, double sided mimeographed sheet stapled at the corner. Content of the text of a letter from film-maker, Stan Brakkjage to Robert Kelly (the poet) where they discuss the function of art.Fine.

SIGNED BY TROCCHI

THE DRAWINGS OF JOAN LITTLEWOOD. Sigma Portfolio, No. 11
London: Project Sigma, 1964
33 x 21cm, mimeographed sheet. Also reproduces a text for Giant Space Mobile. This example signed by Trocchi.SUBSCRIPTION FORM Sigma Portfolio, No. 12
London: Project Sigma, 1964
33 x 21cm, four, double sided mimeographed sheets stapled at the corner. This copy is stapled at the end of Sigma Portfolio Nr 14 see below as was Trocchi’s habit to collate all available numbers of the portfolio from his stocks and send them attached to new numbers, especially to new members.

Sigma Portfolio, No. 13
London: Project Sigma, 1964
33 x 21cm single sided mimeographed sheet. Content of Marcus Field’s contribution to the discussion on the “Theatre and its Future” at the “inaugural meeting of Mr. John Calder’s Writers Night at Better Books. Fine.

PORTFOLIO LIST CUMULATIVE Sigma Portfolio, No. 14
London: Project Sigma, 1964
33 x 21cm single sided mimeographed sheet. Content a list of all available portfolios including numbers up to nr 28. Attached are copies of Sigma portfolio Nrs 2, 5 and nr 12 (18pp in total). Trocchi often sent bundles of all available issues to new subscribers. See above. Fine.

LETTER TO POTENTIAL SUBSCRIBERS/POTLACH Sigma Portfolio, No. 15
London: Project Sigma, 1964
26 x 20cm, 1pp mimeographed sheet. Content of a quote about Sigma from playwright John Arden and a list of 11 issues of the portfolio and a short text (by Trocchi?). Fine.

LETTER TO UNIVERSITIES Sigma Portfolio, No. 16
London: Project Sigma, October 1964
33 x 21cm single sided mimeographed sheet. Effectively a covering letter explaining the Sigma project which was designed to be sent along with Sigma material for free. Fine.

LIST OF PEOPLE INTERESTED Sigma Portfolio, No. 17
London: Project Sigma, October 1964
33 x 21cm single sided mimeographed sheet. Content of a list of individuals who were willing to be associated with the project including Burroughs, Creely, Anthony Burgess, John Arden, Norman Mailer, Allen Ginsberg, Ferlinghetti, Jeff Nuttall, Laing, Tim Leary, John Latham amongst others. Fine.

SIGNED BY TROCCHI

LETTER FROM STAN BAKHAGE TO TROCCHI. Sigma Portfolio, No. 19
London: Project Sigma, 1964
33 x 21cm, mimeographed sheet. This example signed by Trocchi.PROJECTS THE HOLDING COMPANY Sigma Portfolio, No. 22
London: Project Sigma, October 1964
33 x 21cm single sided mimeographed sheet. Content of a Trocchi text suggesting the formation of a limited company to “exploit the many and various cultural engineering projects” arising from Sigma. Fine.

PROJECT SIGMA JARGON PAPER NO 1 Sigma Portfolio, No. 23
London: Project Sigma, October 1964
33 x 21cm 3pp mimeographed sheet. Stapled top left. Content of a philosophical text arising from fortnightly public discussions held by Trocchi on various topics – this one Nietzschian philosophy. The meetings were designated as “Jargon Sessions”. Fine.

UNTITLED. Out of series issue of Sigma
London: Project Sigma, 1964
33 x 21cm 1pp mimeographed sheet. Content of a drawing of a stylised male figure with two heads and the symbol for Sigma above his head. Uncredited to any artist but the style looks very like that of the art brut artist Scottie Wilson. Fine Price is for all 18 issues, 1 out of series issue and 1 single drawing sheet together including the three signed examples.