Arcana:

(RUSCHA, EDWARD). Ruscha, Edward. Hollywood, CA. ND (1968).: Heavy Industry Publications. First Edition. Tall 12mo. Printed Wrappers. Publisher's Trade Catalogue. Fine.. One 7 ¾ x 40 ¾" sheet printed offset recto only, neatly folded in fifths to make 10pp, 8 b&w illustrations. Designed by Edward Ruscha. In a protective clear acetate dustwrapper. Designed by the artist in 1968 at the same time he was moonlighting as the graphic designer for "Artforum" using the pseudonym "Eddie Russia", this is the graphically striking trade catalogue and price list for the first eight artist books issued by Ed Ruscha's Heavy Industry Publications. Produced in the form of an accordion-fold brochure that echoes the design of "Every Building on the Sunset Strip", each title is individually photographed at jaunty angles in the artist's studio accompanied by the details of its edition size, dimensions and weight, and retail price. Pictured in chronological order are "Twentysix Gasoline Stations", "Various Small Fires", "Some Los Angeles Apartments", "… Sunset Strip ($8.00!)", Thirtyfour Parking Lots", "Royal Road Test", "Business Cards", and "Nine Swimming Pools". In the early seventies following the publication of an additional four Heavy Industry books, Ruscha updated and distributed the pamphlet as a single sheet cum poster re-purposing the original uncut 17 ½ × 22 ½" pages with the subsequent titles added using a combination of rubber stamps and handwritten annotations in ink. Both versions of this document are exceedingly uncommon, with only a single copy currently cited in OCLC WorldCat. An exceptionally bright white, most handsome example of the 1968 first state perfect for the Ruscha completeist. Inventory Number: 026255