One full-page woodcut. 30 folding leaves. 8vo (192 x 138 mm.), orig. wrappers, manuscript title-slip on upper cover, new stitching. [Edo]: on final leaf [Matsue Ichirōbei 松会市郎兵衛], “on a good day in July 1664.”

First illustrated edition of “the first culinary book [in Japan] written for an audience other than hōchōnin [professional chefs who created meals for the ruling elite].”–Rath, p. 57. The first edition, which was unillustrated, appeared in 1643 and is a well-known rarity; our edition is equally rare. The anonymous author, who in the Postscript is described as having written this book in Sayama in Musashi province... More

Color illus. to recto, details on verso. Pictorial postcard. Los Angeles: Claire S. Copley Gallery, 1975.

The rare postcard invitation for Ader’s final exhibition. The artist set off from Cape Cod for his fateful cross-Atlantic voyage on 9 July 1975. In excellent condition.

|| Brigitte Kölle, ed., Bas Jan Ader: I’m searching … (2025), pp. 168-69 & 175. More

Diagram & details on recto. New York: John Weber Gallery, 1979.

Announcement card for Allen’s 1979 solo show with John Weber. Fine. More

A few black & white illus. Unpaginated. Tall 8vo, pictorial wrappers, staple-bound. Paris: [1995].

Scarce bookseller’s catalogue issued by Jean-Dominique Carré, this one is devoted to the books and exhibition catalogues of Annette Messager (b. 1943). 62 items are offered, including unique works and books that were printed in very small editions. An essential reference work for publications by or about Messager.

Near fine; faint creasing to the wrappers. WorldCat records two copies. More

Two half-page woodcut illustrations of Śākyamuni and Avalokiteśvara. Woodblock-printed. [1] (lacking title), 48 folding leaves, red edges. 8vo, orig. semi-stiff wrappers (frayed & rubbed), knot-bound with waxed cords. [Hà Nội: Xiển Pháp tự 闡法寺, 1898].

The most popular of Vietnamese apocryphal Buddhist scriptures, the Avalokiteśvara Scripture of Five Hundred Names emblematizes the popularity of Avalokiteśvara (V. Quan thế âm; Ch. Guan shi yin) worship during the Nguyễn dynasty (1802-1945). Early printed copies of this work are very rare: we find no copies outside of Vietnam.

“The total number of apocryphal Buddhist scriptures from Vietnam has not been fully calculated. Among... More

Color illus. to recto, details on verso. Pictorial postcard. Eindhoven: Van Abbemuseum, 1986.

Postcard announcement for Baer’s solo show at the Van Abbemuseum. Fine. More

Many black & white illus. 77 pp. 4to, printed softcover, title on spine. New York: Metropolitan Museum, 1973.

A fine copy of this uncommon exhibition catalogue, this was the first posthumous presentation celebrating Balenciaga (1895-1972) and his legacy. With numerous full-bleed illustrations. In fine condition, with the errata slip for the image on p. 49, depicting a dress designed by Christian Dior. More

Black & white illus. throughout. [15] leaves & ads. Square 4to, pictorial wrappers, staple-bound. Aachen: 1971.

Rare and early Becher exhibition catalogue; we locate only a handful of copies in North American institutions. Much of the publication features the couple’s photographs. It concludes with brief biographies of the artists, and a list of exhibitions and publications. Near fine. More

Illus. & details on recto, printed text on verso. Pictorial card. New York: Paula Cooper Gallery, 1978.

Scarce piece of Lynda Benglis (b. 1941) ephemera from the end of the 1970s. Benglis’s first show with Cooper was held Feb.–March 1970. The text on the verso is excerpted from José Ortega y Gasset’s An Interpretation of Universal History.

In fine condition.

❧ See Paula Cooper Gallery’s website for several installation photographs. More

Reflective silver recto with printed details, verso blank. Postcard, mailed. New York: Paula Cooper Gallery, 1984.

Memorable piece of exhibition ephemera, produced on the occasion of Benglis’s show at Paula Cooper. Near fine; horizontal crease. Mailed to Eve Sonneman.

❧ See Paula Cooper Gallery’s website for several installation photographs. More

Printed on recto only. Postcard, mailed. New York: Paula Cooper Gallery, 1982.

Postcard for Lynda Benglis’s 1982 show at Paula Cooper Gallery. Near fine; mailed to Eve Sonneman.

❧ See Paula Cooper Gallery’s website for several installation photographs. More

36 detailed hand-drawn scenes throughout, employing many ink washes in various colors. [45] folding leaves, i.e., [90] pp. Large orihon (accordion format: 277 x 199 mm.), blue silk covers over boards (a little rubbed), endpapers decorated with sprinkled golden leaf. Japan: “1855.”

A most remarkable orihon, containing the earliest impressions of Americans and Russians, recorded by a Japanese artist in 1855. This work was created immediately in the aftermath of both countries’ expeditions to forcefully open Japan.

This is the first time we have handled a “Black Ship” item in book format instead of an emaki (picture scroll). All of... More