Arcana:

(MAN RAY). Man Ray. New York: Nadada Editions, 1974. First Edition 1/50 Deluxe. 12mo. Illustrated Wrappers. Artist's Book. Very Good.. np (64pp), 26 b&w + 1 color illustration + cover. In a protective clear acetate dust wrapper. Published in 1974 by noted Dada and Surrealist scholar and dealer Timothy Baum, "Analphabet" reproduces Man Ray's previously unpublished 1947 illustrated abecedaire created during the artist's residence in Hollywood. It presents twenty-six whimsical drawings of letterforms A to Z that were originally formulated just prior to his 1948 "Alphabet for Adults" published by his Los Angeles gallerist William Copley. An internally bright, most handsome example of the uncommon deluxe edition limited to fifty copies NUMBERED (11/50) AND BOLDLY SIGNED "Man Ray" in pencil on the rear colophon, as issued, showing a bit of light wear and rubbing to its silver covers. This copy came from the library of the artist's widow Juliet Man Ray, and bears the ownership inscription "JULIET" in pencil along the top edge of the title page. It was acquired from the estate of Juliet Man Ray's brother Joseph Browner, who acted as an executor of the Man Ray Trust following Juliet's death in 1991 until his own passing in 2006. Inventory Number: 026198