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

Printed on one side. Card. Torino: 1981.

Card announcement for a collective exhibition of drawings by Italian artists at Sperone’s gallery. Fine.

❧ A. Minola, M.C. Mundici, F. Poli, M.T. Roberto, eds., Gian Enzo Sperone: Torino, Roma, New York: 35 Anni di Mostre tra Europa e America (2000), Vol. II, p. 494. More

22 leaves (including some blanks or pages ruled in ink for entries). Agenda format (315 x 100 mm.), stitched as issued, uncut. [Nuremberg]: 1598.

A fascinating document, of a type that rarely survives: the manuscript account book for the spring 1598 Leipzig fair of Hans Straub I (or the Elder, 1541-1610), the prominent Nuremberg gold- and silversmith, alderman, and son-in-law of Wenzel Jamnitzer, the best-known German goldsmith of his time. The first leaf bears Straub’s hallmark (interwined initials “HS” over an arrow pointing upward within a plain shield & also containing the inscription “No. 72”). Our manuscript sheds important light... More

23 black & white illus. 239 pp. 12mo (169 x 120 mm.), gold geometric covers. Berlin: Merve Verlag, 1981.

First printing of this essential Harald Szeemann (1933-2005) anthology. Later printings can be identified by the lack of a price on the upper cover.

“In the summer of 1980, [Peter] Gente travelled on short notice to Ascona, where Szeemann had taken up residence during his research for the exhibition because he found the magnetic anomalies personally stimulating. Szeemann readily agreed to publish a book of collected occasional texts, supplied his visitor with ‘towers of manuscripts,’ and handed him the house keys... More

Black & white illus. 77 pp. & colophon. 8vo, red printed wrappers, title on spine. Brussels: Jan Mot, 2019.

Scarce book published for Jan Mot’s exhibition Paul Thek: I AM, AM I? (6 September-29 October 2019), edition of 750 copies. Texts by the dealer Ted Bonin and reproductions of the artist’s etchings.

“In 1989, a year after his death, a multitude of works were discovered in Paul Thek’s New York storage unit. Among hundreds of sculptures, paintings, drawings, and notebooks were three sheets of paper with etched images. Each was printed from small metal plates, a traditional form of printmaking... More

Single sheet, printed on recto only, two rubber-stamped illus., horizontal & vertical folds. Amsterdam: 1977.

Other Books and So flyer for a performance by the Dutch artist Moniek Toebosch (1948-2012). This was one of a series of early exhibitions staged at the bookstore’s new premises at Herengracht 259. Allan Kaprow and Tom Ockerse had concurrent shows, 6-24 September.

Fine. From the collection of Tjeerd Deelstra (b. 1937), the collector and Fluxus adherent.

❧ Guy Schraenen, ed., Dear reader. Don’t read. (2016), pp. 184 & 201 (pictured). More

Paper cutout in the shape of two hands. [Paris: A L’Etoile Scellée, 1953].

The scarce and delightful invitation — in the shape of two hands — for a Toyen exhibition held at A L’Etoile Scellée in May 1953. Managed by André Breton, the gallery was financially supported by the gallerist Sophie Babet. Located on rue du Pré aux Clercs in the 7th arrondissement, the gallery served as an influential center of Surrealism from 1952 to 1956. Breton was responsible for a bold program, inviting unheralded abstract and Surrealist artists.

Toyen (1902-80), born Marie Cermínová, was one of the earliest Surrealists... More

Black & white illus. [15] leaves. Oblong 8vo, metal binder clip. Utrecht: [1972].

Rare Keith Milow (b. 1945) exhibition catalogue; WorldCat locates no example in North America. Texts in Dutch by Jeroen Grosfeld and the artist. Installation photographs, artist’s biography, and exhibition history in-fine.

In fine condition. More

One black & white illus. [17] leaves. Oblong 8vo, metal binder clip. Utrecht: 1971-2.

Very rare exhibition catalogue; we locate no example in North America. The present exhibition was a collaboration between Utrechtse Kring and Johannes Cladders (1924-2009), director of the Städtisches Museum Mönchengladbach. With an introduction by organizer Henk van de Schoor, an interview with Cladders, and a list of Cladders’ exhibitions (all in Dutch).

Near fine. Ownership inscription to corner of first leaf. More

Illus. throughout. 219 pp. & colophon. 4to, pictorial softcover. Prague: National Gallery Prague, 2018.

The rare English edition of this amply illustrated monograph on Valoch (b. 1946). The book comprehensively details his substantial contributions to Czech art from the 60s to 80s, as well as the formation of his important archive of Eastern European avant-garde art.

From p. 11: “Valoch and his activities in the artistic realm may serve as the basis for the evaluation of the development of Czech, Slovak, and partially also European art scene from the middle of the 1960s. Analyzing Valoch’s activities will gradually unveil a.... More

Numerous black & white illus., some full-page. [106] pp. Small folio (298 x 212 mm.), orig. printed pictorial wrappers. Antwerp: 1992.

The scarce first catalogue issued by the partnership of gallerist Van de Velde and bookseller Ceuleers. Their collaboration began in 1990. It offers an impressive array of rare artists’ books, multiples, exhibition catalogues, and important reference works. The first portion of the catalogue consists of materials related to Dada and Surrealism; the second is devoted to “Art after 1945.”

A near fine copy.

❧ Not in A. Desjardin, The Book on Books on Artists Books (2nd ed.: 2013). More

Black & white illus. [10] leaves. Tall 8vo, printed wrappers, staple-bound. Amsterdam: Art & Project, 1972.

Scarce Art & Project publication (edition of 300 copies), with illustrations of van Elk's work, several of which appear in his bulletins. Fine. More