Arcana:

(RUPPERSBERG, ALLEN). Singerman, Howard & Allen Ruppersberg. Julia Brown, Editor. Los Angeles & Santa Barbara, CA: The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles & Black Sparrow Press, 1985. First Edition #218/250 Deluxe. 4to. Illustrated Boards in Jacket. Artist's Book. Fine/Near Fine. 128pp, profusely illustrated in color and b&w. Designed by Barbara Martin. With a chronology, exhibition history and bibliography. This is the exhibition catalogue cum artist's book published in conjunction with a 1984 Allen Ruppersberg retrospective that traveled from Los Angeles' Museum of Contemporary Art to New York's New Museum. This deluxe edition is hand bound in decorative boards by Earl Gray and features an artwork/multiple by the wry conceptual artist entitled "Love Me Tender" (which incorporates a primitive electronic "music box" that plays a highly syrupy version of the Elvis Presley classic when opened) bound in. A bright, most handsome example of the first - and only - hardbound edition limited to two hundred and fifty hand-numbered (#218/250) copies whose easily replaced, tiny watch-type battery has run dead after thirty-five years additionally BOLDLY SIGNED "Al Ruppersberg" in black ink on the title page still in the publisher's unprinted white paper jacket, as issued. 0-914357-07-7 Inventory Number: 027219