Signed first edition of Ruscha's photo-novel, illustrating a 1967 short story by Mason Williams, "How To Derive The Maximum Enjoyment From Crackers."
Near fine in near fine jacket.
Price: $2,000.00
"CRACKERS was a narrative. It was lighthearted and not as stoic or as severe as the other books. For that reason, it's my least favorite." — Ruscha, interviewed by Paul Karlstrom
Printed in full on the rear dust jacket flap, Williams's directions for a semi-surrealist sexual humiliation comedy are faithfully acted out by Larry Bell, Leon Bing, Rudi Gernreich, and Tommy Smothers, and photographed by Ken Price, Joe Goode, and Ruscha. Ruscha would use the same source material and the same cast for his 1971 short film, "Premium," explaining: "See, it was a movie best of all, but first it was a book. It was a book that was a movie fallen short." Scarce signed.
Read more: Engberg & Phillpot, Catalogue Raisonné, B10; Ruscha, Leave Any Information at the Signal: Writings, Interviews, Bits, Pages.
First printing. (Hollywood, CA): (Heavy Industry Publications), (1969). 8.75'' x 6''. Original chipboard wrappers. In original red and white printed dust jacket. [240] pages. Black and white photographic illustrations. Signed by Ruscha on front free endpaper. PROVENANCE: From the collection of longtime MIT Press editor Roger Conover, who published several books by and about Ruscha. Light edgewear and touches of chipping to jacket. Else clean and bright.
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