-
DUTCH DETAILS
(RUSCHA, EDWARD). Ruscha, Edward. Deventer, THE NETHERLANDS: The Octopus Foundation & Sonsbeek 71, 1971. First Edition 1/3000. Oblong Narrow Folio. Printed Wrappers. Artist's Book. Very Good -./No Jacket - As Issued.. np (40pp), 116 b&w illustrations. Text in Dutch and English. In a protective clear acetate dustwrapper. "Dutch Details" is Ed Ruscha's innovatively-designed artist's book published in conjunction with the Sonsbeek 71 festival that documents sequentially-photographed walks across bridges over ten Dutch canals in Veendam, Stadskanaal, Musselkanaal and Ter Ape. Each view is reproduced across the recto of a single 4 ¼ x 30" page folded vertically in the middle. An internally bright, handsome example of the exceedingly uncommon 1971 first and only edition (entry B14 in Siri Engberg's "Edward Ruscha: Editions 1959-1999" which is also cited on pages 198-199 of The Hasselblad Center's "The Open Book") limited to an estimated three thousand unnumbered copies - virtually all of which were destroyed following the exhibition - showing typical mild age-toning along with some light wear and creasing, a tiny surface abrasion, and a few patches of mild foxing to its white covers. There is 2 ¼" long browned dampstain along the middle of the foredge of the front panel, and a white adhesive label reading "American Distributor: / Wittenborn and Company / 1018 Madison Ave., New York, N.Y. 10021" is affixed to the title page. All in all, this is a most presentable copy that is near-unique in that the edges of the folded pages are uncut and therefore not hinged with tape of what is with the exception of the legendarily scarce "Stains" portfolio, the most elusive of all of Ruscha's artist publications. It has been priced accordingly. Inventory Number: 025728