THE NIGHT I LOST MY BABY: A Las Vegas Vignette
First edition, association copy, of this uncommon artist's book, inscribed to Dick Smothers of the Smothers Brothers.
Near fine.
Price: $4,500.00
THE NIGHT I LOST MY BABY: A Las Vegas Vignette
"The Censor sits [...] And renders / A pattern of ideas / Full of holes / A doily / For your mind." — Mason Williams, "The Censor"
Though perhaps best known as a musician (and for his instrumental hit "Classical Gas"), Williams grew up in Oklahoma, where in the 4th grade he befriended Ed Ruscha. After graduating high school, the two left Tulsa together for L.A., and though Williams soon returned to study music, by 1964 he was back in California and living with his friend. Williams and Ruscha supported each other in their various artistic pursuits and collaborated on several occasions (ROYAL ROAD TEST, 1967; CRACKERS, 1969). This book was their first together — a loosely illustrated free-verse fable of winning and (quickly) losing the attentions of a Vegas showgirl.
Humorously signed to ("Prissy") Dick Smothers, one half of the Smothers Brothers. At the time of this inscription Williams had already toured with the brothers and appeared on both of their albums. Indeed, the three were working on the early development of what would go on to become the controversial and legendary Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour (which debuted in 1967). Williams was one of the driving creative forces behind the show — composing the show's theme song, functionally serving as head writer, and penning many of the show's best-known routines. The Comedy Hour — which grew increasingly popular with young, anti-war, countercultural audiences — would infamously be canceled by CBS CEO William Paley in 1970. Paley ascribed the cancellation to breach of contract, while most others cited political censorship — including Williams, who penned a poem ("The Censor") about such network meddling.
A stupendous association between two defining figures of the 1960s.
Read more: Lippard, Six Years, 12.
The Object
(Los Angeles, California): n.p. [Mason Williams], 1966. 8.75'' x 6''. Original full (Vegas?) gold cloth. No jacket, as issued. Photographic endpapers. One of 500 unnumbered copies. Book design by Ed Ruscha. Photography by Patrick Blackwell. [64] pages. Inscribed by Mason on blank prelim before title: "To Prissy Dick / with ink / Mason / Jan '67." Minor rubbing, shelfsoil. Overall, bright, sound, and sharp.
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