Arcana:

(BEARD, PETER). Beard, Peter. New York: Peter Beard, 1977. First Edition Thus. Elephant Folio. Printed Poster. Exhibition Poster. Near Fine.. One 25 x 18" heavy paper sheet printed photo-lithographically recto only, 1 illustration. Designed by Ruth Ansel and Peter Beard. This is the striking poster produced in conjunction with Peter Beard's 1977 "The End of the Game" exhibition at New York's International Center for Photography. Originally subtitled "The Last Word From Paradise: A Pictorial Documentation of the Origins, History & Prospects of The Big Game in Africa", Beard's groundbreaking first book from 1965 weaves his own photographs with vintage historical images into a narrative chronicle of the European exploration and exploitation of The Dark Continent, and the ensuing destruction of much of its native wildlife. This gripping body of work was presented twelve years afterwards at the ICP in a massive, elaborately staged installation designed by Marvin Israel. Along with hundreds of photographs, it integrated the artist's diaries, collages, animal skeletons, and more throughout the entire Fifth Avenue space. Its poster featuring a collaged array of images of Kenyan wildlife was a collaboration between Beard his "The End of the Game" graphic designer Ruth Ansel. The venue's commercially produced version measures 27 ½ x 20 ½", and includes the ICP logo in large type across the bottom edge. This however is a slightly smaller - we believe earlier - prototype variant lacking any reference to the ICP whose borders and grid of nine photographs are significantly different. Additionally, the first word in the title had been cut and pasted in the artwork to read "Tthe". A remarkably similar, yet different variant is pictured in photographs by Orin Langelle who documented the installation of the exhibition, and whose work - including images of that poster - are reproduced on the photographer's website. A most handsome example of this uncommon, unique item additionally bearing the BOLDLY SIGNED PRESENTATION "For Elaine in memory of the hot summer of '77 (two hearts) Peter B" vertically in orange crayon across the left margin. "Elaine" is Elaine Kaufman - the late, legendarily feisty proprietor of fabled Manhattan bar and eatery "Elaine's". The opening scene of Woody Allen's "Manhattan" was filmed there, Billy Joel name-checked it in "Big Shot", and the list of bold-faced names that favored her watering hole from the sixties through the new millennium reads as a virtual who's who of the New York literary, entertainment, and cultural elite. Woody, Andy, Truman, Jack, Jackie O., and Beard - known for his love of nightlife - were regulars for whom Elaine reserved her best tables each evening. The inscription refers to the record-breaking July 1977 heatwave that spawned New York's great blackout and "The Summer of (the Son of) Sam". The poster is still housed in its slightly weathered vintage black wooden frame with a glass face (from the still-extant Bark Frameworks on Wooster Street) that adorned the restaurant's memorabilia-cluttered walls for more than thirty years. Boasting impeccable provenance, this remarkable object was acquired in 2011 at the New York auction of Ms. Kaufman's personal belongings and "Elaine's" keepsakes following her death in 2010. PLEASE NOTE: Additional shipping costs are required for this item beyond our standard rates due to its weight and value - we will inform you of the applicable amount at time of purchase. 0-87701-521-X Inventory Number: 026361