Ed Ruscha

A group of fifteen artist's books, 1963-1972, fourteen from the first editions, twentysix gasoline stations from the second edition, nine dedicated to Leon Bing



The lot includes: twentysix gasoline stations, various small fires, some los angeles apartments, every building on the sunset strip, royal road test, thirtyfour parking lots in los angeles, business cards, nine swimming pools and a broken glass, crackers, babycakes with weights, real estate opportunities, a few palm trees, records, colored people and edward ruscha (ed-ward rew-shay) young artist.



twentysix gasoline stations: inscribed "For Sweet Léon from Ed"



some los angeles apartments: inscribed "For sweet León from Ed"



every building on the sunset strip: inscribed "For León with Love, Ed July '68"



business cards: marked "Ed Ruscha" and something undiscernable on the cover, inscribed



thirtyfour parking lots in los angeles: inscribed "I lust Léon, Ed"



babycakes with weights: inscribed "For Baby León Love from Ruscha"



real estate opportunities: inscribed "Sorry Leon, Ed"



a few palm trees: inscribed "Léon - Here it is - Ed"



colored people: inscribed "Hello [snecken](?), Edward"

A gift from the artist to Leon Bing
Acquired by the present owner from the above

Leon Bing was a model in the 60s and 70s. During their relationship she appeared in the book crackers (1969) and in Ruscha's first film, premium (1971)

The books are in generally good condition. Imperfections in the individual works are as follows: twentysix gasoline stations: glasine cover with scattered tears along the top edge and the silver case separating at bottom various small fires: surface soiling and a few small stains on the front and back covers some los angeles apartments: scattered soiling on the covers and glasine, the glasine with small tears along the top edge and minor yellowing throughout every building on the sunset strip: the cover shows surface soiling and wear throughout, it has separated from the book and is attached with scotch tape. There are occasional small creases throughout the pages royal road test: the front and back cover with occasional stains and scuffs thirtyfour parking lots in los angeles: the glasine, which has marks from previously being folded into fours, with staining and tears. The upper right corners of the pages have a soft bend business cards: there is some discoloration along the inside edges of the covers, the upper edges of the covers have a few nicks and there is a scuff of soiling on the front near the top nine swimming pools and a broken glass: glasine with staining and large area of loss at top cover edge and two pages with small areas of suface discoloration at the edges crackers: cover wrapper with staining and 1" tear and a small nick at left top edge. Pale damp stain is visible on the lower edge of the cover and the bottom of the last few pages babycakes with weights: surface soiling on cover with the blue color slightly fading at the left front cover and the right back cover real estate opportunities: the glasine with a few scattered tears along the top edge and very pale discoloration a few palm trees: the cover with occasional scuffs and a brown stain on the right outer edge of all pages records: very small spots of discoloration are visible on the outside of the back cover and the first three pages of the book colored people: occasional soiling on the cover- a spot of discoloration at the right outer edge and edward ruscha (ed-ward rew-shay) young artist- the cover of the book is beginning to come loose at the binding
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.