Embossed title on first leaf. [24] leaves of thick Fabriano Rosaspina Avorio paper. Oblong folio (260 x 370 mm.), orig. cloth boards, linen cords strung through holes in paper. Barrytown: Space Heater Multiples, 1982.

A book that commands it be read from beginning to end, then end to beginning. This is one of Smith’s masterpieces, also known as the “String Book”; from a numbered edition of 50 and signed by the artist, ours is “Copy D.”

The book is noteworthy for its unique structure — thick paper linked by linen string — and interaction with light. Book 91 is not... More

Eight leaves, each leaf larger by 1/2” from the previous. 8vo (202 x 148 mm.), orig. leather-backed boards, stitching on spine, title printed on upper cover. [From colophon]: Rochester: Visual Studies Workshop, 1985.

An uncommon visual and interactive poem by the celebrated book artist Keith A. Smith (b. 1938), bound by the artist and printed offset in a numbered edition of 200, signed by the artist on the colophon page. Like Book 107, the intricate structure of overlapping text on each leaf requires repeated manipulation of the book and the pages.

Smith writes in his auto-bibliography 200 Books (2000), “[The]... More

Silk-screened illus. & text. 10 unnumbered leaves, several hand-cut. Oblong 4to (224 x 296 mm.), self-bound with staples. [Rochester, NY]: 1978.

An uncommon early artist’s book by Keith A. Smith (b. 1938), intended as a children’s alphabet book. In 200 Books, he writes: “Aatis and Ping Lillstrom had their first child the year I made this book and I dedicated it to Alpha Gaylord Lillstrom, since it is an alphabet book. I called her ‘Alpha Betty.’ Their second daughter, Aeros Keith Lillstrom was born in 1979. These are five of several children who have given me cheer making me feel... More

Many black & white illus. 112 unnumbered pages. 8vo (211 x 145 mm.), printed wrappers. Rochester: Visual Studies Workshop, 1986.

An uncommon collection of visual poems by the American book artist, Keith A. Smith (b. 1938); this is an early photo-digital book, created using Thunderscan. Printed offset in an edition of 500 copies on Mohawk Vellum 70 lb. There was also a leather-bound edition of 25 copies. The present example is signed by the artist on the title-page.

“In Overcast/Outcast Smith takes [it] a step farther. While [Book 115] is almost entirely graphic — a flat pattern on the page... More

Signed & numbered photoetching tipped-in on recto of first blank leaf, black & white illus. throughout. [25] leaves. Oblong 4to (205 x 315 mm.), orig. three-color silk-screened dust-jacket, stiff boards, saddle-stitched & case-bound. Rochester, NY: Visual Studies Workshop Press, 1977.

First edition, one of 50 special copies with a large, tipped-in photoetching, signed and numbered by the artist, captioned in pencil: “I was born at twenty but died at twelve, 6/50 Keith, October 1977.” This striking photoetching, depicting Smith and various representations of his younger self, was executed for the present work. Smith’s photoetchings are extremely rare on the market... More