Eight black & white offset-printed photographic illus. [10] pp. Accordion format (195 x 105 mm. closed; 195 x 940 mm. fully unfolded). Munich: Galerie Heiner Friedrich, 1970.

The extremely rare catalogue for the first exhibition devoted to Ruscha’s artist’s books. Hosted by the trailblazing German gallerist Heiner Friedrich (b. 1938), an important proponent of American artists in Europe, the show presented Ruscha’s first eight books, beginning with Twentysix Gasoline Stations (1963) — incorrectly dated “1962” here — and ending with Nine Swimming Pools (1968). Interestingly, a second show focused on these books did not take place in the United States... More

Many full-bleed black & white illus. throughout. 260 pp. (incl. wrappers). 12mo (160 x 117 mm.), orig. printed semi-stiff wrappers, pictorial flaps, perfect-bound. Paris: C. Daviet-Thery, September 2011.

An exhibition catalogue mostly unrelated to the exhibition for which it was published. This volume originates from Christoph Schifferli’s show Books on Books (2009) which he curated at the invitation of gallerist Christophe Daviet-Thery. He displayed 26 artists’ books that concern books and their representation. Daviet-Thery then commissioned book designer Saint-Loubert Bié to create the show’s catalogue. The designer invited artists Yann Sérandour and Jonathan Monk for a conversation about 12 artists’... More

Black & white illus. throughout. 23, [1] p. Square 4to, aubergine pictorial wrappers, staple-bound. Bremen: Neues Museum Weserburg, 1996.

Uncommon exhibition catalogue focused on Christian Boltanski’s artist's books. This show was one of many shows put together at the Neues Musuem Weserburg Bremen by curator Guy Schraenen (1941-2018) on the topic of artists’ publications. Boltanski (1944-2021) loaned several works to the exhibition, and the catalogue has several visual reproductions of his work. The catalogue essay, written by Schraenen, is entitled “Gedächtnis des Vergessens” [“Memory of Forgetting”]. This is a most useful reference in the study of Boltanski’s numerous books. With... More

Black & white illus. throughout. [24] pp. Square 4to, red & white pictorial wrappers, staple-bound. Bremen: Neues Museum Weserburg, 1999.

Uncommon exhibition catalogue on printed books and multiples by Daniel Buren (b. 1938). Curated by Guy Schraenen (1941-2018), the exhibition is an useful survey of an underappreciated aspect of the artist’s practice. Schraenen was responsible for a long series of exhibitions devoted to artists’ publications at the Neues Museum Weserburg. The catalogue is illustrated with pictures of many of Buren’s bookworks. Schraenen’s catalogue essay “Le Livre, Lieu d’Exposition ‘In Situ’” is printed in German and French. At the end are... More

Black & white illus. throughout. 23, [1] p. Square 4to, printed wrappers, staple-bound. Bremen: Neues Museum Weserburg, 1992.

Uncommon and useful exhibition catalogue, this is an important reference work on the books of Dieter Roth (1930-98). Many of his works are reproduced within and the bibliography near the end has helpful details. With an essay by the curator, Guy Schraenen (1941-2018), entitled “Man sieht den Baum vor lauter Wald nicht.” [“You can't see the Tree for the Forest”]. With the errata stamped on the lower wrapper.

In excellent condition. One of 1000 copies printed. Volume 4 in the Sammlung der... More

[28] pp. Square 4to, gray printed wrappers, staple-bound. Bremen: Neues Museum Weserburg, 1997.

Scarce exhibition catalogue on the work of Jiri Valoch (b. 1946); one of 1000 copies. This is part of an extensive series of shows and accompanying catalogues on artists’ books curated by Guy Schraenen (1941-2018) at the Neues Museum Weserburg. The catalogue contains an essay by Schraenen (“Wort als Wort”), a 10-page work by Valoch, and a biography and bibliography of the artist.

In excellent condition. Volume 18 in the Sammlung der Künstlerbücher.

❧ A. Desjardin, The Book on Books on Artists Books (2nd ed.: 2013) 90... More

Black & white illus. throughout. 23, [1] p. Square 4to, printed wrappers, staple-bound. Bremen, Neues Museum Weserburg, 1994.

Important exhibition catalogue of Sol LeWitt’s books that is now scarce. Organized by Guy Schraenen (1941-2018), this exhibition was one of several dozen shows on artists’ publications that he curated. The catalogue contains numerous reproductions of LeWitt’s bookworks and at the end there is a very helpful bibliography.

Near fine copy; sticker mark to the lower wrapper. Printed in an edition of 1000 copies. Volume 9 of the Sammlung der Künstlerbücher.

❧ A. Desjardin, The Book on Books on Artists Books (2nd... More

Black & white illus. throughout. 34 pp. Small 4to, pictorial wrappers (designed by Barfuß), staple-bound. Berlin: Happy-Happy, 1981.

One of the earliest exhibition catalogues in which Kippenberger (1953-97) features, albeit here under the pseudonym “Hans Siebert.” The real Hans Siebert was a poster artist who executed the paintings in Kippenberger’s "Leiber Maler, male mir" series.

It reproduces approximately 15 of Kippenberger’s early paintings and drawings. The graphic upper wrapper was designed by Ina Barfuß (b. 1949). “Siebert” is pictured on the lower wrapper alongside Wachweger (1943-2015) and Barfuß.

A near fine copy; trivial wear to spine and lower wrapper. This... 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

Many black & white illus. Unpaginated. Square 4to, pictorial wrappers, perfect-bound. London: Atlantis Gallery, 1984.

A nicely illustrated exhibition catalogue. This show, held at the Atlantis Gallery, focused on defining and highlighting British livres d’artiste, and included work by Breakwell, Julia Farrer, Eliusabeth Frink, Katrina Longden, Paolozzi, Pasmore, Tom Phillips, Ian Tyson, etc.

A fine copy.

❧ A. Desjardin, The Book on Books on Artists Books (2nd ed.: 2013) 146. More

One black & white illus. [31] leaves. Oblong 8vo, metal binder clip. Utrecht: 1972.

An excellent and early catalogue concerning collectors of conceptual art; WorldCat locates no example in North America. It contains interviews with Martin and Mia Visser and Herman and Henriette Van-Eelen, in Dutch. The present exhibition was organized by Eveline Grosfeld and Henk van de Schoor.

Near fine. More

Signed wood-engraved port. of Valadon by G. Aubert & 28 black & white illus. (some pasted on, others plates). 63 pp. Small 4to (169 x 130 mm.), orig. printed wrappers. Paris: Editions de la Nouvelle Revue Française, 1922.

An uncommon luxury edition of the first publication on the artist’s career, written by critic and art historian Robert Rey (1888-1964). This is one of 215 numbered copies on pur fil Lafuma, supplemented with an original wood-engraved portrait of Valadon (1865-1938) by Georges Aubert bound-in at the beginning. Valadon began as a model for Puvis de Chavannes, Renoir, Forain, Toulouse-Lautrec, etc., and... More