54 pp. Large 4to (275 x 212 mm.), orig. pictorial wrappers, staple-bound. Toronto: 1996.

A rare catalogue distributed by Art Metropole, the first large-scale North American distributor of artists’ publications. The upper wrapper is adorned with General Idea’s “untitled cockroach drawing,” advertising a new series of artists’ pamphlets. The catalogue was designed by Barr Gilmore.

In fine condition. More

Many illus. in the text. 78 pp. Large 4to (274 x 212 mm.), orig. pictorial wrappers, staple-bound. Toronto: 1991.

A very rare catalogue of video works, with the cover designed by Tom Dean and layout by Barr Gilmore. Art Metropole was one of the earliest large-scale distributors of video artwork and they dedicated several catalogues to this type of material. Herein we find pieces by Acconci, Judith Barry, Constance de Jong, Filliou, General Idea, Dan Graham, Nancy Holt, Joan Jonas, Mike Kelley, Les Levine, Muntadas, Nauman, Martha Rosler, Serra, Tom Sherman, Alan Sondheim, Lisa Steele, William Wegman, Weiner, Paul Wong, etc., etc. The end... More

The obverse is from a triptych print entitled “Kabukiza nakamaku” by Kunisada III. The reverse shows a man gripping a sword, & in the lower left corner, we find carved Kunisada III’s artist’s name, “Kochoro Hosai.” [From the carved seal on obverse]: “Tokyo Fukuda Hatsujiro,” [ca. 1897].

This finely carved woodblock was used as one part of a triptych print depicting Kabuki actors originally created by Kunisada III. The carved image on the reverse is unrelated, and demonstrates the way in which such boards could be re-used for other compositions. We have not been able to identify where this other... More

Many full-page & double woodcut illus. 23; 29.5 folding leaves. Two vols. 8vo, orig. pale gray wrappers (wrappers quite rubbed), orig. block-printed title labels on upper covers (labels somewhat defective), new stitching. Osaka & other cities: Okada Gungyokudo, Kawachiya Chobei et al., from the colophon: “1836.”

First edition. Okura (1768-1856?), was one of the three most eminent agriculturalists of the Edo period. A reformer, he wrote more than 20 books on all aspects of agricultural improvement and technology; they were among the best of their period for range and clarity of explaining the new methods.

Rapeseed oil has been the favored cooking oil in Japan for more than 1000 years, since the introduction of Buddhist vegetarian cuisine. It was also widely used for illumination. The present book is concerned with improved methods of the complex steps required to transform rapeseed into oil and to manufacture its meal as a by-product (used as an animal feed and a fertilizer). The fine woodcuts, by the famous Osaka ukiyo-e artist Hanzan Matsukawa, depict all the many stages of production. There is a series of really fine depictions of the presses and different methods and machinery used in the regions of Edo, Nada, and Osaka. More

1 blank leaf, [44] text leaves, 3 blank leaves; 1 blank leaf, [46] text leaves, 2 blank leaves; 1 blank leaf, [43] leaves, [1] p. of text, [3] blank pp.; 1 blank leaf, [69] leaves, [1] p. of text, [3] blank pp.; 1 blank leaf, [77] text leaves, 2 blank leaves; 1 blank leaf, [52] text leaves, one blank leaf; 1 blank leaf, [52] text leaves, 3 blank leaves. Seven vols. 4to (233 x 168 mm.), orig. semi-stiff dark indigo-dyed wrappers (a few minor defects), bound Tetsuyoso-style, each cover beautifully painted with different scenes of watery landscapes adorned with flowers... More

Black & white illus. throughout. [24] leaves, printed on rectos only. Small 4to (210 x 152 mm.), orig. pictorial wrappers (spine a trifle soiled). Amsterdam: Cres Publications & Agora Studio, July 1978.

First edition of this scarce bookwork. Cres was a bimonthly publication of which the present book was the “July-Special.” This copy comes with a Cres subscription form laid-in.

“[In Alphabetical Order] consisted of a set of twenty-four black-and-white photographs of a small wooden index card holder with a label saying ‘a-z.’ In each photograph, some of the cards are placed vertically so that they stand out from the others. They are clearly different each... More

40 pp. Small 8vo (198 x 125 mm.), 20th-cent. cloth-backed marbled boards, title on spine. Paris: Pérignon & Chariot, 1813.

The scarce catalogue, fully priced in a contemporary hand, of the first auction administered by Pérignon (1785-1864), an influential dealer, collector, and eventual advisor to the Louvre. He assembled this group of paintings and drawings over the course of trips to Belgium and Holland. Many French dealers exploited the turbulent times of the Napoleonic era to travel and pry artworks from private hands and ecclesiastical collections.

The 144 lots described include works from the Northern school by Jordaens, J. B. Weenix, J. &... More

Woodcut head-piece on first page. 12 pp. Small 8vo (196 x 127 mm.), modern marbled wrappers, stitched. N.p.: n.d. [ca. 1794-95].

First edition of this scarce pamphlet on the cultivation of the arts in Revolutionary France, stressing the importance and utility of the fine arts for the French state. It also alludes to (and criticizes) David’s role in the downfall of the Commune des Arts. At the end are the printed signatures of Etienne Eynard (president) and Tardieu (secretary), members of the newly formed Société Républicaine des Arts.

From page 4 (in trans.): “But it is necessary that our buildings, our squares, our porticos, our gates, our arsenals, our public passages, etc., demonstrate to Europe the character, the power and the enlightenment of a great nation.” More

Many full-page woodcuts, of which a number are color-printed, & one remarkable text woodcut that has five color-printed flaps of considerable intricacy. 31; 32; 29; 25 folding leaves. Four vols. 8vo, orig. brown wrappers, orig. block-printed title labels on upper covers, new stitching. [Japan]: Kanaido, 1850.

First edition of this very rare and beautifully illustrated surgical work, with no copy in WorldCat. This was the first ophthalmological work published in Japan that did not depend on secret traditions of private medical schools but, instead, incorporated the most up-to-date writings, both Chinese and Western, on the subject.

“Nakame Juzan (1808-1854), was born in Sendai and practiced in Edo and Osaka. He taught many students. He performed cataract surgery with excellence, using mydratics (hyostiamine). In 1850, he wrote a two-volume book Kokon seisen ganka hosen (Selected Ophthalmology of All Times) and [the present work] Ganka [sic, a typo, should be mokubyo or ganbyo] shinron (Ophthalmology in Veracity). He included Chinese and Western methods of cataract surgery, theory of image formation on the retina, and various instruments of Western ophthalmology. His description is much more advanced than those of other Chinese-Dutch ophthalmologists.”–Saiichi Mishima, The History of Ophthalmology in Japan, p. 173 (& see p. 196 for a discussion & illus. from this book of Nakanome’s method of cataract reclination). More

Manuscript on paper with one map, 14 full-page, & about 20 smaller illus., finely drawn in brush & various colors. 53 folding leaves. 8vo (295 x 195 mm.), orig. blue wrappers (rubbed & a little worn), manuscript label on upper cover with “Sendai Kanoko” written, new stitching. [Japan]: from final page (in trans.) “copied 1839.”

The earliest survey of the wealthy Sendai fiefdom — known as the Sendai Kanoko — was prepared in 1695. At that time, the domain was led by Tsunamura Date (1659-1719). The survey was part of a nation-wide effort in the Genroku era to increase the amount of new farmland and improve irrigation works. When... More

Three double-page & four full-page woodcut illus. 25 folding leaves. 12mo, orig. yellow wrappers (upper wrapper a little soiled), orig. block-printed title label on upper cover, new stitching. Kyoto: Chojiya Kurouemon & Murakami Kanbei, 1869.

Second edition (1st ed.: 1854), of this detailed guide to the medical care of horses. Kurihara (1794-1870), was a historical scholar, specializing in armor, swords, and military uniforms. Closely connected to the prominent Takeda clan, he also wrote a number of works on veterinary medicine and the traditional methods of training horses.

The present work has a new Preface, dated 1868. Kurihara discusses the general principles of horse nutrition, providing... More

Many black & white illus. 30 pp. (incl. inside wrappers). 8vo (215 x 140 mm.), photocopied wrappers, staple-bound. New York: 2003.

A scarce exhibition catalogue-cum-bookseller catalogue designed by the artist Tom Sachs in zine form. It was published in conjunction with his 2003 exhibition “Tom Sachs Approved” (22 November-23 December) at Printed Matter. There are listings of his early zines and miscellaneous merchandise.

In pristine condition. More