Arcana:

(CALLE, SOPHIE). Calle, Sophie. New York, London, Rome & Hong Kong. 2007-2014.: Thea Westreich, 1991. First Edition #117/230. 4to. Decorative Boards, Boxed. Artist's Book. Fine/No Jacket - As Issued. np, 18 b&w illustrations. Text in French and English. The most visually spectacular of her artist's books to date, "La Fille Du Docteur" is yet another exploration of the part autobiographical, part fictional personae of Sophie Calle. The work consists of sixteen facsimile cards of congratulation (purportedly) from colleagues of the artist's father upon the announcement of her birth. This was traditional amongst the French medical profession, and Calle's father was a physician. Or was he? Each of these cards is housed in a glassine envelope that faces a sequential photographic image printed on vellum of the artist performing a drunken striptease. These images conclude with the naked, comatose Sophie (who "will be a source of joy to her parents") sprawled in a heap. The book is bound as a faux leopard-skin album, which is in turn housed in a paper covered, chipboard box with a printed label. A brand new, most handsome example of the uncommon 1991 first - and only - Thea Westreich edition (cited on pages 166-167 of Martin Parr and Gerry Badger's "The Photobook: A History Volume II" and pages 352-353 of The Hasselblad Center's "The Open Book") limited to two hundred and thirty copies SIGNED AND NUMBERED (117/230) in black ink on the publisher's label of limitation affixed to the final leaf, as issued. Inventory Number: 026681