Edward Ruscha

First edition, first state of Ruscha’s fourth book, and arguably his finest, which captures the Sunset Strip at a particular moment in time.

• Edward Ruscha (American).
• Los Angeles, CA: [Edward Ruscha], 1966.
• From an unstated edition of 1000 copies.
• Lacking the exceedingly rare belly band.
• Accordion-fold printed recto only and mounted in printed wrappers, with short extra final flap.
• Housed in original silver Mylar foil-covered slipcase.

Parr & Badger writes it's “not only the most physically ambitious of Ruscha’s books, but the most flamboyant.” A monumental and continuous accordion-fold scroll that opens to more than 25 feet, Ruscha documents — as the title suggests — the entirety of the Strip, with even-numbered addresses running along the top of the page and odd facing opposite along the bottom. “The effect is less like the fluid cinematic pan […] than a series of jolting jump cuts […] a ragged progression of gas stations, motels, apartment houses, parking lots, strip-malls, and honky-tonk signage” (Parr 182). A beautiful example of a notoriously fragile production.

Parr & Badger, The Photobook: A History, II.

Roth, The Book of 101 Books.

Ed Ruscha Editions: 1959-1999, B4.