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<ead>
  <eadheader countryencoding="iso3166-1" dateencoding="iso8601" langencoding="iso639-2b" repositoryencoding="iso15511" relatedencoding="dc" scriptencoding="iso15924">
    <eadid countrycode="US" url="http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv53915" identifier="80444/xv53915" mainagencycode="orpl" encodinganalog="identifier">80444/xv53915</eadid>
    <filedesc>
      <titlestmt>
        <titleproper encodinganalog="title">Guide to the Impossibilists publications collection<date calendar="Gregorian" era="ce" normal="1977/1985" type="inclusive"/></titleproper>
        <titleproper type="filing" altrender="nodisplay">Impossibilists publications collection</titleproper>
        <author encodinganalog="creator">Jeremy Skinner</author>
      </titlestmt>
      <publicationstmt>
        <publisher encodinganalog="publisher">Lewis &amp; Clark College, Special Collections and Archives</publisher>
        <date encodinganalog="date" calendar="gregorian" era="ce" normal="2008">2008</date>
        <address>
          <addressline>615 S. Palatine Hill Rd.</addressline>
          <addressline>Portland, Oregon 97219</addressline>
          <addressline>archives@lclark.edu</addressline>
          <addressline>http://specialcollections.lclark.edu</addressline>
        </address>
      </publicationstmt>
    </filedesc>
    <profiledesc>
      <creation>This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on <date>2024-11-05</date>.</creation>
      <langusage>Finding aid written in <language langcode="eng" encodinganalog="language" scriptcode="latn">English</language>.</langusage>
      <descrules>Finding aid based on DACS (Describing Archives: A Content Standard), 2nd Edition.</descrules>
    </profiledesc>
  </eadheader>
  <archdesc level="collection" relatedencoding="marc21" type="inventory">
    <did>
      <repository>
        <corpname encodinganalog="852$a">Lewis &amp; Clark College, Special Collections and Archives</corpname>
      </repository>
      <unittitle encodinganalog="245$a">Impossibilists publications collection</unittitle>
      <unitid countrycode="US" repositorycode="orpl" encodinganalog="099">OLPb030IMP</unitid>
      <physdesc>
        <extent encodinganalog="300$a">1 box</extent>
      </physdesc>
      <unitdate calendar="Gregorian" era="ce" normal="1977/1985" type="inclusive" encodinganalog="245$f">1977-1985</unitdate>
      <abstract encodinganalog="5203_">Collection of publications by the Impossibilists, a group of artists and writers active as performers and impresarios in Portland, Oregon in the late 1970s and early 1980s.</abstract>
      <physloc>Special Collections Repository 2</physloc>
      <langmaterial>
        <language langcode="eng" encodinganalog="546">English</language>
      </langmaterial>
    </did>
    <bioghist encodinganalog="5451_">
      <p>Co-founded in 1977 by Mark Sargent (aka Animal Trust, Max Deadtoe Delaney) and Tom Cassidy (aka Spaceangel and Musicmaster), The Impossibilists were a group of artists and writers active as performers and impresarios in Portland, Oregon in the late 1970s and early '80s. The other original or core Imps were mail-artist Kay Hockett aka Rhoda Mappo, Robert Lurie aka Rider, Marti Barrett aka Reynarda Wally, Alaina Lara aka Lipps, and honorary Imp Ijme Van Sloten. Their aesthetics were primarily absurdist, and expressed in graphics, poetry, prose, several "Dada Spectaculars" (which drew hundreds of people and included performances by Ken Butler, Lowell Darling, Dana Atchley, Billy Oskay, Norman Gould, Bob Gardiner, Cees Francke, Al Ackerman, Ken Friedman etc.), comic strips, manifestos, and events, many staged at Cassidy's junkshop arcade, Keep 'Em Flying. Among the contributors to their publications were Katherine Dunn, John Shirley, John Bennett, Walt Curtis, Ken Butler, Dan Raphael, Keith Rahmmings, Scott Helmes, Bob Phillips, Doug Spangle, and SubWaxin Haddock. They continued to release ephemeral publications through the 1980s.</p>
      <p> This collection includes a variety of Impossibilits publications.</p>
    </bioghist>
    <scopecontent encodinganalog="5202_">
      <p>This collection is composed solely of Impossibilists publications.</p>
    </scopecontent>
    <accessrestrict encodinganalog="506">
      <p>This collection has no restrictions and is open for research.</p>
    </accessrestrict>
    <userestrict encodinganalog="540">
      <p>Watzek Library Special Collections and Archives does not hold copyright to the materials in this collection.  It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine and satisfy copyright and other restrictions.</p>
    </userestrict>
    <prefercite encodinganalog="524">
      <p>[item description] The Impossibilists Publications collection, Lewis &amp; Clark College Special Collections and Archives, Portland, Oregon.</p>
    </prefercite>
    <acqinfo encodinganalog="541">
      <p>Collection assembled by Charles Seluzicki and sold to Lewis &amp; Clark College in 2008. Additional material was purchased in 2024 from Burnside Rare Books.</p>
    </acqinfo>
    <processinfo>
      <p>Originally processed in 2008. Publications housed in acid-free folders. Finding aid revised and re-published with additional material in 2024.</p>
    </processinfo>
    <controlaccess>
      <controlaccess>
        <persname rules="lcsh" source="ingest" encodinganalog="600">Cassidy, Tom</persname>
        <persname rules="lcsh" source="ingest" encodinganalog="600">Sargent, Mark</persname>
        <persname rules="lcsh" source="ingest" encodinganalog="600">Hockett, Kay</persname>
        <persname rules="lcsh" source="ingest" encodinganalog="600">Mappo, Rhoda</persname>
        <persname rules="lcsh" source="ingest" encodinganalog="600">Lurie, Robert</persname>
        <persname rules="lcsh" source="ingest" encodinganalog="600">Barrett, Marti</persname>
        <persname rules="lcsh" source="ingest" encodinganalog="600">Lara, Alaina</persname>
        <persname rules="lcsh" source="ingest" encodinganalog="600">Van Sloten, Ijme</persname>
        <persname authfilenumber="n88021277" rules="lcnaf" source="lcnaf" encodinganalog="600">Dunn, Katherine, 1945-2016</persname>
        <persname rules="lcsh" source="ingest" encodinganalog="600">Shirley, John</persname>
        <persname rules="lcsh" source="ingest" encodinganalog="600">Bennett, John</persname>
        <persname authfilenumber="n83167063" rules="rda" source="lcnaf" encodinganalog="600">Curtis, Walt</persname>
        <persname rules="lcsh" source="ingest" encodinganalog="600">Butler, Ken</persname>
        <persname rules="lcsh" source="ingest" encodinganalog="600">Raphael, Dan</persname>
        <persname rules="lcsh" source="ingest" encodinganalog="600">Rahmmings, Keith</persname>
        <persname rules="lcsh" source="ingest" encodinganalog="600">Helmes, Scott</persname>
        <persname rules="lcsh" source="ingest" encodinganalog="600">PHillips, Bob</persname>
        <persname rules="lcsh" source="ingest" encodinganalog="600">Haddock, Sub Waxin</persname>
      </controlaccess>
      <controlaccess>
        <corpname rules="rda" source="local" encodinganalog="610">The Impossibilists</corpname>
      </controlaccess>
      <controlaccess>
        <geogname source="lcsh" encodinganalog="651">Portland (Or.)</geogname>
      </controlaccess>
      <controlaccess>
        <subject source="archiveswest" altrender="nodisplay" encodinganalog="690">Literature</subject>
        <subject source="archiveswest" altrender="nodisplay" encodinganalog="690">Performing Arts</subject>
        <subject source="archiveswest" altrender="nodisplay" encodinganalog="690">Publishers and Publishing</subject>
      </controlaccess>
    </controlaccess>
    <dsc type="in-depth">
      <c01 level="file">
        <did>
          <unittitle encodinganalog="245$a">The Impossibilist Manifesto</unittitle>
          <unitdate calendar="Gregorian" era="ce" type="inclusive" encodinganalog="245$f">undated</unitdate>
          <physdesc>
            <physfacet>5 single sided 8.5 x 11" sheets stapled</physfacet>
          </physdesc>
          <langmaterial><language langcode="eng" encodinganalog="546">English</language>.</langmaterial>
          <container type="box">1</container>
          <container type="folder">1</container>
        </did>
        <scopecontent encodinganalog="5202_">
          <p>Printed by "Animal Trust, 2180 NW Irving, Portland, Ore 97210"</p>
        </scopecontent>
      </c01>
      <c01 level="file">
        <did>
          <unittitle encodinganalog="245$a">Impossible Manifesto 2</unittitle>
          <container type="box">1</container>
          <container type="folder">2</container>
        </did>
      </c01>
      <c01 level="file">
        <did>
          <unittitle encodinganalog="245$a">Impossibilist Manifesto 5</unittitle>
          <container type="box">1</container>
          <container type="folder">3</container>
        </did>
      </c01>
      <c01 level="file">
        <did>
          <unittitle encodinganalog="245$a">Impossible Manifesto 6 </unittitle>
          <container type="box">1</container>
          <container type="folder">4</container>
        </did>
      </c01>
      <c01 level="file">
        <did>
          <unittitle encodinganalog="245$a">Paper wrapper for Musical Comedy 6 1/2: Trading Cards</unittitle>
          <unitdate calendar="Gregorian" era="ce" normal="1980/1980" type="inclusive" encodinganalog="245$f">Summer 1980</unitdate>
          <physdesc>
            <physfacet>Fully illustrated single-sided 8.5 x 11" sheet wrapper for set of 48 trading cards.</physfacet>
          </physdesc>
          <langmaterial><language langcode="eng" encodinganalog="546">English</language>.</langmaterial>
          <container type="box">1</container>
          <container type="folder">5</container>
        </did>
      </c01>
      <c01 level="file">
        <did>
          <unittitle encodinganalog="245$a">Musical Comedy 6 1/2: Trading Cards</unittitle>
          <unitdate calendar="Gregorian" era="ce" normal="1980/1980" type="inclusive" encodinganalog="245$f">Summer 1980</unitdate>
          <physdesc>
            <physfacet>48 single-sided 3.5 x 2.25" trading cards printed on card stock (blue, tan, and cream).</physfacet>
          </physdesc>
          <langmaterial><language langcode="eng" encodinganalog="546">English</language>.</langmaterial>
          <container type="box">1</container>
          <container type="folder">6</container>
        </did>
        <scopecontent encodinganalog="5202_">
          <p>Trading cards includetext and artwork by: Walt Curtis, Dan Lissy, Lon Spiegelman, John Bennett, Musicmaster, Buzz Blur, Katherine Dunn, Lady C., Dr. Trust, Tri-X, Keith Rahmmings, Desnos, and Rider.</p>
        </scopecontent>
      </c01>
      <c01 level="file">
        <did>
          <unittitle encodinganalog="245$a">Imps 7</unittitle>
          <container type="box">1</container>
          <container type="folder">7</container>
        </did>
      </c01>
      <c01 level="file">
        <did>
          <unittitle encodinganalog="245$a">Impossibleight</unittitle>
          <container type="box">1</container>
          <container type="folder">8</container>
        </did>
      </c01>
      <c01 level="file">
        <did>
          <unittitle encodinganalog="245$a">Impossible 10: A Scrapbook</unittitle>
          <container type="box">1</container>
          <container type="folder">9</container>
        </did>
      </c01>
      <c01 level="file">
        <did>
          <unittitle encodinganalog="245$a">Impossible 14 </unittitle>
          <unitdate calendar="Gregorian" era="ce" normal="1979/1979">1979</unitdate>
          <langmaterial><language langcode="eng" encodinganalog="546">English</language>.</langmaterial>
          <container type="box">1</container>
          <container type="folder">10</container>
        </did>
      </c01>
      <c01 level="file">
        <did>
          <unittitle encodinganalog="245$a">Impossibile 15: Points of Impact</unittitle>
          <unitdate calendar="Gregorian" era="ce" type="inclusive" encodinganalog="245$f">undated, ca. 1980</unitdate>
          <physdesc>
            <physfacet>11 single sided 8.5 x 11" sheets stapled</physfacet>
          </physdesc>
          <langmaterial><language langcode="eng" encodinganalog="546">English</language>.</langmaterial>
          <container type="box">1</container>
          <container type="folder">11</container>
        </did>
        <scopecontent encodinganalog="5202_">
          <p>Printed by "The Impossibilists." Includes works by Rider, Lipps Inc., Musicmaster, Max Deadtoe Delaney, Dan Raphael, Lips, Trust, and Katherine Dunn.</p>
        </scopecontent>
      </c01>
      <c01 level="file">
        <did>
          <unittitle encodinganalog="245$a">Impossibilists 17</unittitle>
          <unitdate calendar="Gregorian" era="ce" normal="1982/1982" type="inclusive" encodinganalog="245$f">Spring 1982</unitdate>
          <physdesc>
            <physfacet>20 pages (counting cover) 8.5 x 11" saddle stapled booklet</physfacet>
          </physdesc>
          <langmaterial><language langcode="eng" encodinganalog="546">English</language>.</langmaterial>
          <container type="box">1</container>
          <container type="folder">12</container>
        </did>
        <scopecontent encodinganalog="5202_">
          <p>Editor: Musicmaster. Contributors Contributors: Buz Blurr, John Bennett, Katherine Dunn, Dan Lissy, Scott Helmes, Inex, Michiel VanDijk, Dr. Blaster, Dr. ID, Dr Trust, Keith Rahmmings, and Tri-X.</p>
        </scopecontent>
      </c01>
      <c01 level="file">
        <did>
          <unittitle encodinganalog="245$a">Impossibilists 18: Impossible Women</unittitle>
          <unitdate calendar="Gregorian" era="ce" normal="1983/1983" type="inclusive" encodinganalog="245$f">Spring 1983</unitdate>
          <physdesc>
            <physfacet>Fully illustrated envelope with 21 loose sheets (approx. 8.5 x 11"), each featuring artwork and writing.</physfacet>
          </physdesc>
          <langmaterial><language langcode="eng" encodinganalog="546">English</language>.</langmaterial>
          <container type="box">1</container>
          <container type="folder">13</container>
        </did>
        <scopecontent encodinganalog="5202_">
          <p>Includes works by: Reynarda Wally, Katherine Dunn, S.L. Ames, Rhoda Mappo, Mrs. Blaster, Inex, Lon Spiegelman, Dominick Fucci, Carol Stetser, Marilyn Rosenberg, Ryder, Annie, Dan Lissy, Roxy Gordon, Dr. ID, Musicmaster.</p>
        </scopecontent>
      </c01>
      <c01 level="file">
        <did>
          <unittitle encodinganalog="245$a">Impossibilist Broadside 1: Let Me Go Now by Katherine Dunn</unittitle>
          <container type="box">1</container>
          <container type="folder">14</container>
        </did>
      </c01>
      <c01 level="file">
        <did>
          <unittitle encodinganalog="245$a">Impossibilist Broadside 3: Allen Ginsberg comes to Olympia 1969-1980</unittitle>
          <unitdate calendar="Gregorian" era="ce" normal="1980-06-03/1980-06-03">1980-06-03</unitdate>
          <container type="box">1</container>
          <container type="folder">15</container>
        </did>
      </c01>
      <c01 level="file">
        <did>
          <unittitle encodinganalog="245$a">Portland Assemblage</unittitle>
          <unitdate calendar="Gregorian" certainty="approximate" era="ce" normal="1980/1980">c. 1980</unitdate>
          <langmaterial><language langcode="eng" encodinganalog="546">English</language>.</langmaterial>
          <container type="box">1</container>
          <container type="folder">16</container>
        </did>
      </c01>
    </dsc>
  </archdesc>
</ead>

