This book was edited by Raffaela Marzano and Sergio Iagulli. The latter contributed one introductory essay and David Meltzer the other. These long poems describing the 'hidden" encompass a period of 1972 to 2006. They began from Hirschman's reading of a work allegedly written by le Comte de St. Germain, a noted mystical personage whose legend is that since the 18th century he reppears ever young even to this day. The word "arcane" is derived from the Latin word Arcanum which means a place where occult or esoteric books or objects are preserved. The forms of the Arcanes are developed from sudden flashes of thoughts to a phrase or event to manifest the inner voices that Hirschman hears. A drawing by Hirschman accompanies 100 copies of this book (Sackner Archive copy). -- Source of annotation: Marvin or Ruth Sackner.

Hirschman remarked in a letter to the Sackners of September, 1989: "This is obviously an important work for me....I put in effect, together the fact of my finishing smoking with the holocaust, which I regard as the most profound -- Source of annotation: Marvin or Ruth Sackner.

In a letter to the Sackners, Hirschman explains that the two poems constituting this book have not been previously translated into English. These poems are about Calabria in southern Italy. The first poem mentions the Kaballah and letters in "black characters" that are unidentified. Pasolini though raised a Catholic has a Jewish grandmother on his mother's side. In one of his most important poems about Marx, Einstein and Freud, he speaks of himself as Jewish which is usually evaded in Italian circles. The second poem deals with Algerians living in Italy. Hirschman believes Pasolini used the cruciform to resolve religious textures in the two poems. -- Source of annotation: Marvin or Ruth Sackner.

This poem was composed during Hirschman's Kabbalistic phase of his career. There are large Hebrew letters and words printed on the envelope and colophon. The poem and documentation are printed in Hirschman's distinctive holographic style. -- Source of annotation: Marvin or Ruth Sackner.

This poem was composed during Hirschman's Kabbalistic phase of his career. There are large Hebrew letters and words printed on the envelope and colophon. The poem and documentation are printed in Hirschman's distinctive holographic style. It also includes a photocopied broadside in homage to Jack Hirschman composed by John Thomas in 1973. -- Source of annotation: Marvin or Ruth Sackner.

This poem was composed during Hirschman's Kabbalistic phase of his career. There are large Hebrew letters and words printed on the envelope and colophon. The poem and documentation are printed in Hirschman's distinctive holographic style. -- Source of annotation: Marvin or Ruth Sackner.

This poem was composed during Hirschman's Kabbalistic phase of his career. There are large Hebrew letters and words printed on the envelope and colophon. The poem and documentation are printed in Hirschman's distinctive holographic style. -- Source of annotation: Marvin or Ruth Sackner.

Falk did the calligraphy of Hirschman's poem in watercolor with a fine sable brush and added color fields in acrylic paint. -- Source of annotation: Marvin or Ruth Sackner.

Theme of book relates to the beauty of the Californian Coast. A double entendre appears in the poem since the "bear and "star," words in the poem are in the cosmos as well as the Californian state flag. -- Source of annotation: Marvin or Ruth Sackner.

Theme of book relates to the beauty of the Californian Coast. A double entendre appears in the poem since the "bear" and "star", words in the poem are in the cosmos as well as the Californian state flag. -- Source of annotation: Marvin or Ruth Sackner.

Theme of book relates to the beauty of the Californian Coast. A double entendre appears in the poem since the "bear" and "star", words in the poem are in the cosmos as well as the Californian state flag. -- Source of annotation: Marvin or Ruth Sackner.

This is a put-together of the Gmicalzoma language of John Dee, magician and alchemist to Queen Elizabeth during Shakespeare's time with the typographical design of Iliazd. The title page contains ciphers from a book by Dee himself. The tiles consist of nine small tiles joined together by wooden dowels and Hirschman mentions that he was seeking a "geometric Zaum" by the the rota-tora-orat box simulation. -- Source of annotation: Marvin or Ruth Sackner.

This poem by Hirschman describes the life and contributions of Lawrence Ferlingetti, the founder of City Lights Bookstore on his 91st year. Ferlinghetti contributed a illustrative self-portrait and Johnny Brewton did the design and letterpress. -- Source of annotation: Marvin or Ruth Sackner.

This poem by Hirschman describes the life and contributions of Lawrence Ferlingetti, the founder of City Lights Bookstore on his 91st year. Ferlinghetti contributed a illustrative self-portrait and Johnny Brewton did the design and letterpress. -- Source of annotation: Marvin or Ruth Sackner.

The words of Martin Luther King in this poem relate to the first bombing of the Gulf War on the same day as King's birthday. -- Source of annotation: Marvin or Ruth Sackner.