TWENTYSIX GASOLINE STATIONS

Second edition. Signed by the author. Original white paper covers printed in red, with the original plain tissue wrapper. Housed in a bespoke quarter black morocco solander box. Illustrated with photographs in black and white throughout. A very near fine copy, the binding square and tight, the covers bright and fresh with just a thin strip if very mild toning to the lower extreme edge of the spine. The contents are clean and bright. The original glassine has a small chip to the lower edge and mild toning. A very attractive example.

Inscribed by the author in blue ink on the dedication page "To Paquerette / love / [drawn arrow] / Ed Ruscha". Ruscha's first book, initiating his much-imitated cut back, literal aesthetic. Produced cheaply and accessibly, Ruscha's signature style is sympathetic to Warhol's Pop Art movement and made without use of heavy paper or glossy hard covers. The twenty six gasoline stations follow Route 66 from West to East; Los Angeles, where Ruscha lives to Oklahoma City, where he grew up. The final station, at Groom in Texas, marks the beginning of the return journey. The first printing was issued in an edition of 400 copies in 1963. This second edition was issued in an edition of 500 copies in 1967.