The Bar. A New Sculpture by George and Gilbert.

London., 1972.. Original publisher's white card wrappers with titles to front cover in black.. 8vo. (164 x 114 mm).. White card with inserted folded leaf of cream paper with exhibition details recto and verse verso and single mounted photographic plate captioned 'A Day of Pleasure' with the 'GG' stamp in red at lower right. The scarce announcement card to the exhibition 'The Bar' in 1972.Three shows by Gilbert & George opened simultaneously in November 1972 (Anthony D’OffayGallery, Situation and Nigel Greenwood), all shows related to drinking at Ball’s Brothers Wine Bar in Bethnal Green in London. Both Gilbert & George were arrested and locked up on separate occasions in the 1970s. Drinking became their lives and art, a total art work.The photograph in this invite, as usual during this period of work, apparently shows George in a skewed doorway, demonstrating the effects of intoxication. The adjacent verse is gin-related and reads as follows: 'From the Cradle as a Kiddy / To the Bottle I did take. / There was nothing like the Tit-ty, / When I had the Tummy ache. / But Now, for Aches and pains / My Old Man he exclaims: / "HAVE A DROP OF GIN OLD DEAR".'[Gilbert & George 1968 to 1980, pg. 112].