Every Building on the Sunset Strip.

RUSCHA, Edward.

$12,500.00

Item Number: 146588

Los Angeles, California: Edward Ruscha, 1966.

First edition, first issue of Ruscha’s self-published 27-foot accordion-folded photographic panorama of the iconic Los Angeles boulevard, a milestone in the history of artist’s books. First issue with a small flap as the final leaf. Octavo, original publisher’s white wrappers with titles printed in silver to the spine and front panel, single accordion-folded panorama of both sides of the iconic Sunset Strip printed with offset lithography, opens to a length of 27 feet. Association copy, inscribed by the artist in the year of publication on the copyright page, “Merry Christmas Paton and Tillie! Ed Ruscha 1966.” The recipient, actor and director Paton Price played a major role in developing Hollywood talents including Kirk Douglas, Jason Robards, and Jean Seburg. His directing credits include several episodes of “77 Sunset Strip,” which ran from 1958-1964. He also directed episodes of Maverick (1961), Surfside 6 (1961) and The Partridge Family (1972). In very good condition with some bumping to the spine. Housed in the original publisher’s foil-covered slipcase which is in very good condition. A very nice example, rare in this condition.

In the 1960s, Ed Ruscha more or less reinvented the artist’s book. By turning away from the craftsmanship and luxury status that typified the livre d’artiste in favor of the artistic idea or concept, expressed simply through photographs and text, Ruscha opened the genre to the possibilities of mass-production and distribution. The 27-foot length of the accordion-folded Every Building on the Sunset Strip affords the viewer two continuous photographic views of the mile and a half section of this landmark stretch of Sunset, one for each side of one of the city’s landmark thoroughfare" (The Getty Research Institute). Roth 101; Parr & Badger, Photobook II.