Arcana:

(RUSCHA, EDWARD) (BENGSTON, BILLY AL). Bengston, Billy Al & Edward Ruscha. Los Angeles: Self-Published by the Authors, 1968. First Edition 1/1000. 8vo. Wrappers with a Mounted Photo. Artists' Book. Good +./No Jacket - As Issued.. np (32pp), profusely illustrated in monochrome. Designed by Edward Ruscha. In a protective clear acetate dustwrapper. "Business Cards" is the innovatively designed and bound collaborative artists' book cum objet published in 1968 by Ed Ruscha and Billy Al Bengston. Limited to one thousand unique copies, it details in photographs by Ken Price and Larry Bell the process of the two artists designing their business cards, and the "presentation dinner" at Beverly Hills' The Bistro of the finished product(s). A most presentable example of this uncommon item (entry B7 in Siri Engberg's "Edward Ruscha: Editions 1959-1999" which is also cited on pages 198-201 of The Hasselblad Center's "The Open Book") limited to one thousand unnumbered copies BOLDLY SIGNED "B. A. B." in black ink and "Ed Ruscha" in black marker on the front cover with its latigo leather thong complete and unbroken, the cover photograph present, and both cards stapled to the the recto of the rear leaf, as issued, showing some wear, creasing, and abrading to its faux wood veneer wrappers along with some light foxing to the edges of the textblock, front and rear inside covers, and endpapers. It has been priced accordingly. Inventory Number: 024819