[14] pp., printed on rectos only. Small 4to (191 x 140 mm.), upper wrapper printed in red & black, saddle-sewn binding. Amsterdam: Kontexts Publications, February 1976.

One of 100 copies of this rare bookwork, inscribed by Carrión to Michael (1940-2022) and Judith Druks (n.d.). Based on a Carrión performance, this book, containing plagiarized text from six different plays, harkens back to the Mexican artist’s evolution from young star of Mexico’s literary scene and author of several lauded short story collections and plays to a visual artist in the Netherlands disowning his promising past. Our copy is remarkable because of Carrión’s... More

Card (150 x 106 mm.) with text added by rubber stamp in red, blue, green, and yellow ink. Amsterdam: 1976.

One of the rarest pieces of ephemera created by Ulises Carrión’s bookstore and exhibition space, Other Books and So. In 1975, the year of its founding, the space had hosted shows for the Beau Geste Press, Jiri Valoch, Opal L. Nations, and Eric van der Wal. For the present exhibition, Carrión invited 200 artists who employed stamps in their work and displayed their pieces on the walls of Other Books and So (when it was located at 227 Herengracht).

In... More

86, [1] p. 8vo (225 x 155 mm.), orig. printed red semi-stiff wrappers, title on spine. Cullompton, Devon: Beau Geste Press, 1973.

First edition, the deluxe version on vibrant multi-colored Strathmore Grandee paper and exceptionally signed twice by Carrión (1941-89). Arguments was printed in a total edition of 400 copies, 200 on Huntsman white cartridge and unsigned, and 200 deluxe copies and signed on the verso of the title-page. The present copy is remarkable for its additional signature on the recto of the first blank leaf, especially given that the artist hardly ever signed his bookworks and reluctantly produced a.... More

159 pp. & one leaf with index & colophon. Small 8vo (180 x 115 mm.), orig. printed pictorial wrappers (spine slightly worn). Guaymas, Mexico: Joaquín Mortiz, August 1970.

First and only edition of Carrión’s second book, a collection of six short stories, printed in a numbered edition of 3000 copies. In the 1960s, Carrión (1941-89) was one of Mexico’s emerging literary talents; a number of his short stories had been published in leading journals, and his first play, El Gran Espectáculo, was performed at the Casa de la Cultura de Tlacotalpan, Veracruz, to rave reviews. Following his studies in philosophy... More

Graphite drawings throughout on triangular paper, laminated. [6] leaves, laminated covers with ms. title, signature, and date written in blue marker, metal spiral-bound. [Amsterdam?]: Self-published, 1984.

A unique hand-drawn bookwork by Ulises Carrión (1941-89), unrecorded by Ocampo and Agius in their catalogue raisonné. In the final decade of his life, Carrión created a group of geometric and minimalist books about which very little is known. This one depicts two rectangles that are initially nearly touching but, as one turns the pages, become increasingly distanced while the rectangle on the right shrinks. The book is signed by Carrión in blue marker... More

[in]: Revista Mexicana de Literatura, Nos. 11-12 (November-December 1962), pp. 17-22. 81 pp. & ads. 8vo, printed wrappers (lacking lower wrapper). Mexico City: 1962.

Ulises Carrión’s first appearance in the experimental literary journal Revista Mexicana de Literatura (1955-65). A good copy; some chipping to the upper wrapper and marginal dampstaining to the final few leaves of text.

❧ Not recorded by Schraenen in Dear reader. Don’t read (2016). More

[in]: Revista de Bellas Artes, No. 8 (March-April 1966), pp. 41-56. Black & white illus. throughout. 102 pp. & ads. 4to, pink pictorial wrappers, title on spine. Mexico City: 1966.

Unrecorded by Guy Schraenen; a little-known Ulises Carrión (1941-89) contribution to one of Mexico’s literary journals. Foreshadowing his permanent move to Amsterdam, he contributed this short story about a visit to the city, with illustrations by Vicente Rojo (1932-2021). In the mid-1960s Carrión was studying in Paris or Achenmühle, Germany.

Near fine copy.

❧ Not in G. Schraenen, Dear reader. Don’t read. (2016). More

Coated paper with black & white illus. Assen, Netherlands: 1982.

The rare promotional poster for one of Ulises Carrión’s experimental public installations; the present copy is in particularly fine condition and has not been folded or creased. Entitled The Robbery of the Year, this exhibition was designed by the artist as a test of visitors’ self-restraint. A large diamond was placed on a cushion, without any enclosure but with a single spotlight trained on it, in an otherwise dark room. Visitors were invited to enter the room while a photographer took pictures of the space and the visitors. An expected... More

[in]: Revista Mexicana de Literatura, Nos. 9-10 (September-October 1963), pp. 16-24. 60, [1] p. & ads. 8vo, printed wrappers (minor staining to wrappers), title on spine. Coyoacán, Mexico City: 1963.

Ulises Carrión’s second appearance in the experimental literary journal Revista Mexicana de Literatura (1955-65). A very good copy of this scarce issue, edition of 2000 copies.

❧ G. Schraenen, ed., Dear reader. Don’t read. (2016), p. 255. More

Port. on lower wrapper. [13] pp. 8vo, printed wrappers, staple-bound. Amsterdam: Boekie Woekie, 2012.

A facsimile of Before and After, an unpublished typescript bookwork composed by Carrión in 1972. As suggested in Raul Marroquin’s note at the end of the publication, this work may precede Sonnet(s).

Fine; staples rusted. WorldCat locates no example in North America. More

[in]: Anuario del Cuento Mexicano 1961, pp. 60-64. 248, [1] p. & index. Thick 4to, pictorial softcover (spine a little creased), title on spine. Mexico: Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes, 1962.

An early Ulises Carrión (1941-89) appearance in one of Mexico’s prestigious literary journals, this one focused on short stories. With a concise biography of the author. A very good copy; some light wear to the spine.

❧ Not recorded by Schraenen in Dear reader. Don’t read (2016). More

Graphite drawings on thin triangular paper, laminated. [8] leaves, ms. title & signature on first leaf, metal spiral-bound. [From verso of final leaf]: Amsterdam: Self-published, 1988.

One of Carrión’s last bookworks, Opening Lotus, a unique triangular book, was made the year before the artist’s death from complications caused by HIV/AIDS. In the last decade of his life, Carrión (1941-89) created a small group of hand-drawn books, several of which are recorded in the catalogue raisonné compiled by Agius and Ocampo and the 2016 exhibition Dear reader. Don’t read. The present bookwork is not recorded in either. It comes from Guy... More