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

Pictorial wrappers designed by Daniel Buren & several black & white illus. Unpaginated. Large 4to (268 x 198 mm.), pictorial wrappers (a little browned), staple-bound. [Toronto: 1983].

A rare catalogue published by Art Metropole, with the design of the wrappers done by Daniel Buren.

Nice copy, a bit browned. More

Cover artwork by Stephen Ellwood. 71 pp. Large 4to (270 x 212 mm.), pictorial wrappers, staple-bound. Toronto: 1998.

[with]:

—. Catalogue No. 20 (Wholesale). Cover artwork by S. Ellwood. 11 pp. Large 4to (265 x 211 mm.), orig. pictorial wrappers, staple-bound. Toronto: 1998. More

68 pp. Large 4to (274 x 214 mm.), orig. pictorial wrappers, staple-bound. Toronto: 1992.

A scarce bookseller’s catalogue of artists’ books and publications. Founded in 1974 by General Idea, Art Metropole was the first large-scale North American distributor for this kind of material. The cover was designed by Lise Melhorn-Boe. This catalogue offers the usual array of artists’ publications, many of which are now very scarce.

In near fine condition; small tear on the spine around the lower staple. More

Cover artwork by Stephen Ellwood. 71 pp. Large 4to (270 x 212 mm.), pictorial wrappers, staple-bound. [Toronto]: 1998.

An uncommon catalogue of artists’ books, multiples, audio works, video works, and periodicals. In fine condition.

❧ See “Art Metropole’s Publications and Events History with Related Ephemera, January 1971 – April 2006,“ on the National Gallery of Canada website. More

46 pp. Large 4to (270 x 210 mm.), orig. printed wrappers, staple-bound. [Toronto: 1979].

A very rare and early catalogue published by Art Metropole; unrecorded on WorldCat. On the inside of the upper wrapper, Art Metropole’s archivist Tim Guest lays out a definition of the artist’s book: “Since the early 1960‘ [sic] artists have been producing bookworks as a completely autonomous artform. Different in that they exist outside the traditions of either the ‘literary text’ or the ‘illustrated book’, they are instead books as works of art in themselves. They belong to that movement in art history which seeks to de-emphasize form and aesthetics... More

Cover designed by R. Fones. 64 pp. Large 4to (280 x 220 mm.), pictorial wrappers, staple-bound. [Toronto]: 1993.

An uncommon catalogue of artists’ books, multiples, audio works, video works, and periodicals. In fine condition.

❧ See “Art Metropole’s Publications and Events History with Related Ephemera, January 1971 – April 2006,“ on the National Gallery of Canada website. More

Many text illus. 30 pp. Large 4to, orig. printed wrappers, staple-bound. Toronto: 1979.

A very rare catalogue of video art issued by Art Metropole, the first North American large-scale distributor of artists’ books and publications. This was their inaugural catalogue dedicated to video works, all of which were available for rent. We find works by Acconci, Ant Farm, Susan Britton, Colin Campbell, Filliou, General Idea, Dan Graham, Michael Hayden, Nancy Holt, Patricia Plattner, Alan Sondheim, Lisa Steele, etc. Numerous stills illustrate many of the entries.

In fine condition. We are only able to locate the copy at the National Gallery of Canada... More

Black & white frontis. Unpaginated. Large 4to, orig. printed wrappers, staple-bound. Toronto: 1986.

A scarce bookseller’s catalogue of artists’ books and publications. Founded in 1974 by General Idea, Art Metropole was the first large-scale North American distributor of this kind of material. The present catalogue, printed in an edition of 2500 copies, was designed as a work by the artist Ian Murray (b. 1951), and contains hundreds of entries. The compilers have denoted “bookworks” — their preferred term for artists’ books — with a black square next to the listings. This catalogue presents an impressive and vast array of materials, including video and audio works.

Near fine copy, the spine is a trifle sunned. A few pencil notes in the text. More

Many text illus. 79 pp. Large 4to (275 x 215 mm.), orig. pictorial wrappers by M. Nannucci, staple-bound. Toronto: June 2000.

A scarce catalogue of artists’ publications, video and audio works, and multiples. Designed by Nannucci. In fine condition.

❧ See “Art Metropole’s Publications and Events History with Related Ephemera, January 1971 – April 2006,“ on the National Gallery of Canada website. More

Many text illus. 51 pp. (incl. inside wrappers). 8vo (219 x 128 mm.), pink pictorial wrappers, staple-bound. Toronto: June 2003.

A rare Art Metropole catalogue. It offers an impressive range of artists’ publications, videotapes, audio works, multiples, etc. Covers designed by the artist David Shrigley.

Fine copy. More

Many text illus. 47 pp. 8vo (217 x 130 mm.), pictorial wrappers, staple-bound. Toronto: 2002.

Rare annual Art Metropole catalogue offering a wide range of artists’ publications, multiples, records, audio works, videotapes, and periodicals. Cover by the artist Kelly Mark. Among the listings we find works by Abramovic, Ader, Baldessari, Boltanski, Bronson, Broodthaers, Buren, Feldmann, Gilbert & George, Holzer, LeWitt, Nannucci, Ono, Paik, Prince, Weiner, etc.

In fine condition. A few pencil annotations More