-
TWENTYSIX GASOLINE STATIONS
(RUSCHA, EDWARD). Ruscha, Edward. Los Angeles. 1963 (1969).: Self-Published. Third Edition 1/3000. 12mo. Printed Wrappers in Jacket. Artist's Book. Very Good./Good -.. np (48pp), 26 b&w illustrations. In a protective clear acetate dustwrapper. Edward Ruscha's 1963 travelogue of decaying Americana, "Twentysix Gasoline Stations" is a deft photographic documentation of the iconic, then-vanishing roadside rest stops between his hometown of Oklahoma City and his newfound promised land of Los Angeles. An internally bright, most handsome example of the 1969 third edition of the artist's landmark first book (entry B1 in Siri Engberg's "Edward Ruscha: Editions 1959-1999" which is also cited on page 140 of Martin Parr and Gerry Badger's "The Photobook: A History Volume II", and pages 198-201 of The Hasselblad Center's "The Open Book") limited to three thousand copies showing a thin margin of light age-toning and soiling along the top and bottom edges of the front cover along with a mild soft crease to the middle of the spine in the publisher's slightly chipped original glassine wrapper. A white adhesive label reading "American Distributor: / Wittenborn and Company / 1018 Madison Ave., New York, N.Y. 10021" is affixed to the verso of the title page. Inventory Number: 025717