Arcana:

(ALVENG, DAG). Alveng, Dag & Susan Kismaric. Oslo, NORWAY: Koks Forlag & Preus Fotomuseum, 1986. First Edition 1/400. 4to. Boards in Printed Dust Jacket. Photography Monograph. Near Fine/Good. np (60pp), 26 duotone illustrations. Designed by Per Maning. Text in English and Norwegian. In a protective clear acetate dustwrapper. "Asylum" is noted Oslo-based photographer Dag Alveng's haunting look at a Norwegian Mental Institution as evidenced by its interiors and objects - devoid of its residents. It features beautifully reproduced black and white plates whose halftone negatives were prepared by the esteemed Richard Benson. An internally bright, most handsome example of the exceedingly uncommon 1986 first edition (cited on page 298 of Martin Parr and Gerry Badger's "The Photobook: A History Volume II") limited to four hundred unnumbered copies bearing the SIGNED PRESENTATION "For Holly / Love, Dag" in ink on the title page whose notoriously fragile printed vellum dust jacket shows chips, closed tears, and paper loss to the front panel, and has adhered in spots to the glue-impregnated covers along the front and rear panels, as is typical. The inscription is to the much-loved late New York collector-turned-gallerist Holly Solomon, who gave the photographer his second US exhibition in 1993, and from whose library we acquired this significant tome directly. Inventory Number: 022501