Arcana:

(RUSCHA, EDWARD). Ruscha, Edward. Los Angeles: Self-Published, 1968. First Edition 1/2400. 8vo. Printed Wrappers in Glassine. Artist's Book. Good./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 presentable 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 some mild waviness - but no dampstaining or sticking - to the front cover and first third of the textblock due to contact with moisture, a thin margin of light soiling to the wrappers along the bottom edge, and a short crease to the rear cover near the top edge. The publisher's lightly age-toned original glassine wrapper is present with noticeable browning, chipping, and some mild paper loss along the bottom edge. All in all, this is a still-solid copy of the first edition of a most desirable Ruscha title that looks looks far nicer in hand than it describes. It has been priced accordingly. Inventory Number: 026068