Arcana:

(WET MAGAZINE). Koren, Leonard, Editor & Publisher. Venice, CA: Wet Enterprises, Inc., 1976. First Edition. 4to. Stapled Pictorial Wrappers. Periodical. Near Fine.. 32pp, profusely illustrated in b&w. Running for thirty-four issues between 1976 and 1981, Leonard Koren's revered Venice, California lifestyle magazine is notable for its prescient mixture of H2O and popular culture, mild nudity, fashion, and great ads for so many trendsetting (and mostly short-lived) L.A. boutiques. This fourth installment of "Wet" features contributions on or by Eve Babitz, Paul Ruscha, toothpaste and oral hygiene, Stephen Laub, architects Mark Mack and Gaylen Granz, Bob Biggs and Paul Zacha's "Shower Room", Lyle B. Mayer, Tom Wudl, and more. The issue's highlights include a postage stamp-sized party photo of Ed Ruscha with Frank and Berta Gehry, and Leonard Koren's iconic "23 Beautiful Women Taking a Bath" image presented as a centerfold calendar for 1977. A most handsome, extraordinarily well-preserved example of this exceedingly uncommon early issue. Inventory Number: 027597