Arcana:

(RUSCHA, EDWARD). Ruscha, Edward. Los Angeles: Self-Published, 1968. First Edition 1/2400. 8vo. Printed Wrappers in Glassine. Artist's Book. Fine./Very Good.. np (64pp), 10 color illustrations. In a protective clear acetate dustwrapper. "Nine Swimming Pools" is Edward Ruscha's eighth artist book from 1968 - a paean to the beauty of the well-appointed Southern California patio, and the blank white page. A most handsome example of the uncommon 1968 first edition (entry B8 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" and page 113 of "From Fair to Fine: 20th Century Photography Books That Matter") limited to two thousand, four hundred unnumbered copies showing a thin margin of light soiling at the bottom edge along the spine in the publisher's well-preserved original glassine wrapper that is missing a few tiny chips along the extremities. 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 final page. Inventory Number: 025724