James Lee Byars [25 August-26 November 1995]

Several black & white illus. [50] pp. Square 4to, printed wrappers, staple-bound. Bremen: Neues Museum Weserburg, 1995.<br /> <P> One of the most important exhibition catalogues from this series; it contains the most authoritative bibliography of the enigmatic artist's books, multiples, and ephemera. This is one of the regular versions printed (1200 copies), a special edition was made in the format of a portfolio under the title: '"Perfect is my death word: Bücher, Editionen, Ephemera."' Byars (1932-97) had a varied and prodigious output of printed works, this "attempt at a catalogue raisonné," compiled by Bettina Brach, records 186 pieces. Printed in parallel German and English, there are interesting essays by Schraenen (1941-2018), the curator, and Thomas Deecke, one of the foremost experts on Byars.<br /> <P> Near fine copy of an invaluable resource. Volume 13 in the Sammlung Künstlerbücher.<br /> <P> ❧ A. Desjardin, The Book on Books on Artists Books (2nd ed.: 2013) 248 (depicting the special ed.).