International Anthology of Contemporary Engraving. The International Avant Garde: America Discovered, Volume 5

Milan: Galleria Schwartz, 1964. First Edition. Hardcover. Fine. A twenty-image gallery of original engravings printed from plates made in 1962, the defining year of American Pop Art, by the defining artists of the era, including Andy Warhol (his first multiple), Roy Lichtenstein, Wayne Thiebaud, Jim Dine, and others.

These etchings are presented in book format, with each artwork bound into the book in a mat with a clear plastic protector. Usually, these images are four removed from the book. However, in your cataloguer's most humble opinion, this book presentation is far superior to looking at individual images hanging on a wall. The intimate presentation of the book and the alphabetical sequencing which requires patience to find the famous works leads to unexpected discoveries. And the excitement of having a Warhol you can set on your lap is a real joy.

For this issue of the International Anthology of Contemporary Engraving, the editors commissioned the hottest young artists on the American scene to make engravings for this book, mostly in 1962 (for publication two years later). The highlight is Roy Lichtenstein's etching of a light switch. Wayne Thiebaud adapted a painting of yo-yos, shifting the placement of the toys for this black-and-white medium. Andy Warhol appropriated an ad for a discount cooking pot that he found on page 35 of the October 16, 1962 New York Daily News and made it visually interesting through clever cropping (the ad may have appeared on other days as well, but I found it first on October 16 and I stopped looking).

These engravings were issued in an edition of 100 copies: 60 numbered with Arabic numerals, 25 numbered with Roman numerals for the contributors, and 15 artist's proofs marked "e.a." for "épreuve d'artiste." The mats measure 9 by 11-3/4 inches, plus the binding stub.

This bound volume includes 8 leaves (two blank) for text, with all contents presented in English as well as French and Italian translation. The introduction is by Billy Klüver, who worked with Andy Warhol.

The original etchings presented in this volume are all signed by the artist with the exception of the Warhol, which is blindstamped. They are as follows, with captions for untitled works invented by your cataloguer and the mediums and plate sizes (w x h) taken from the cataloging of the Museum of Modern Art website:

1. George Brecht. Untitled ("1 cut out this block"). Etching; plate 4-3/4 by 5-1/2 inches;
2. Allan D'Arcangelo. "American Madonna." Etching; plate, 4-3/8 by 5-7/8;
3. Jim Dine. "Corner Brace." Etching; plate, 6 by 4-3/8;
4. Stephen Durkee. Untitled ("Salvation"). Photogravure; plate, 4-7/16 by 6;
5. Lette Eisenhauer. Untitled (Crossword Puzzle). Etching with pencil additions; plate, 5-78 by 3-7/8;
6. Stanley Fisher. Untitled ("BMOB"). Etching; plate, 4-7/16 by 5-7/8;
7. Sam Goodman. Untitled ("6,000,000 Dead"). Etching; plate 4-7/16 by 5-7/8;
8. Red Grooms. Untitled (Walking Man). Etching; plate 6-1/6 by 4-5/8;
9. Robert Indiana. "Err." Photogravure with etching; plate, 6 by 4-3/8;
10. Allan Kaprow. Untitled ("srorriM"). Etching; plate, 4-7/16 by 5-13/16;
11. Roy Lichtenstein. "On." Etching; plate, 4-1/2 by 5-7/8 inches. Corlett 32;
12. Boris Lurie. Untitled (Stars of David). Etching and drypoint; two images, each 5-3/4 by 4-1/2;
13. Claes Oldenburg. "Orpheum Sign." Etching and aquatint; plate, 4-7/16 by 5-7/8;
14. James Rosenquist. "Certificate." Photogravure and etching; plate, 6 by 4-1/2;
15. George Segal. Untitled (Telephone). Etching; plate, 4-5/16 by 5-7/8;
16. Richard Stankiewicz. Untitled (Ink Blots). Etching; plate, 4-1/4 by 5-13/16;
17. Wayne Thiebaud. Untitled (Yo-yos). Etching; plate, 5-13/16 by 4-1/4;
18. Andy Warhol. "Cooking Pot." Relief halftone; 4-5/8 by 6-3/16. Feldman 1;
19. Robert Watts. Untitled (Dollar Bill). Etching; plate, 5-7/8 by 2-1/2;
20. Robert Whitman. Untitled (Crossroads). Etching; plate, 5-15/16 by 3-15/16. A fine volume, complete with all artwork. In a near fine paper sleeve, as issued. All works are from the smallest limitation of 15 artist's proofs; and all but the Warhol are signed by the artists, as issued.