Napoli: Lucio Amelio Modern Art Agency, 1974
21 x 15cm, 2pp announcement card for a Naples exhibition (where he had previously exhibited La rivoluzione siamo Noi at Amelio’s gallery in 1971). One text drawing on the front, verso gallery information. A mailed copy with stamp and typed address. VG+.
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Dunsyre: Wild Hawthorn Press, 1974.
9.9 x 9.9cm, 2pp. A diamond pattern is reproduced in pink and grey. The title refers to the brightly patched or patterned character from commedia dell'arte and Finlay was interested in the paintings of Picasso where such characters were portrayed. Finlay in other works such as La Belle Hollondaise (itself a Picasso painting) displays patches as the main elements in the work: a patch is a repair to save something from being destroyed and in the poet's works is an icon of love or care. VG+.
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Dunsyre: Wild Hawthorn Press, 1974.
10.5 x 15cm, 2pp. Artist postcard with two drawings by Martin Fidler) which are similar to those jokes often seen in children's comics. The first is "The Mexican Navy - and the image could be seen as both a carrier with circling aircraft and wave AND a sombrero. the second drawing is similar and entitled Sombraero (an alternative spelling of the hat) where the planes appear to be crashing onto the carrier. VG+.
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Munster: Westfalischer Kunstverein, 1974
22.2 x 16cm, 100pp plus card covers. Artist's book which coincided with a second museum exhibition by Boltanski in Munich within 18 months - this time the show being titled "Affiches, Accessoires, Decors, Documents photographiques".
The 49 photographs are all of Boltanski's comic performances in a suit pretending to be various parental and grand parental figures and sometimes the younger Boltanski. Sometimes the backgrounds are painted - further making the fact that the performance are theatrical and each group of photographs is preceded by a text with details of the "play". Texts including an essay by Klaus Honnef in German, French and English. VG+.
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Copenhague:Berg, 17 septembre 1974
29 x 21cm, 1pp. Original carbon copy of a typed and signed letter from M Berg thanking Boltanski for agreeing to publish an artist's book with the latter and John Hunov and that a maquette is being prepared for the project. He also thanks Boltanski for the invite card from Munster and says he will order the publication being released at that exhibitiion. VG+.
JOINT:
Copenhague:Berg, 17 septembre 1974
29 x 21cm, 1pp. Original carbon copy of a typed and signed letter from M Berg to Westfalischer Kunstverein requesting a copy of the exhibition catalogue/artist's book.
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Berlin: Galerie Rene Block, 1974
10.5 x 15cm, 1pp announcement card for a groups show of all the major conceptual and Fluxus artists in the famous Berlin gallery. One work (by Emmett Wiliiams?) on the front with exhibition details. VG+.
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N.p. (Nailsworth): Moschatel Press, 1975
10.2 x 5.7cm, 4pp green outer cover and bound in (string) is a folded white sheet with the vertical four word text "SNOW SAIL DROP FLAKE". A visual poem with the double meaning of the fall of a sail (a Snow is also a type of boat) and the fall of a snow flake. VG+ . Rather scarce.
JOINT:
Original printed envelope.
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Paris: Boltanski, 4 septembre 1974
29.7 x 21cm, 2pp Original handwritten letter in blue ink from Boltanski thanking Berg for his "bravery" in buying a painting from a young artist from a strange gallery.
Boltanski mentions Annette Messager's book and says he is very happy to create a book with Berg and announcing that he will soon send a maquette for the publication.
Boltanski says he has a new idea for works - a series of "burlesque" images of sketches (which are to be photographed - one being displayed in the work at the Munster Kunstverein.
He then sends his best wishes to Berg's wife, has good memories of his trip to Copenhagen and hopes to return one day.
A further handwritten addition from Annette Messager thanking Berg for his support and saying that she is working hard.
Both notes are signed by the writer.
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Dunsyre: Wild Hawthorn Press, 1974.
12.7 x 77cm, 8pp. Artist card which opens out to show a calligraphic design using the German word for ship (Schiff) which is printed black and blue in reflection to give the impression of a boat on water (with the fold being the water level). A lovely graphic by Ron Costley who was one of Britain's greatest typographers and one of Finlay's longest lasting collaborators. One of 350 signed and numbered copies. VG+.
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Munster: Westfälischer Kunstverein, 1974
15 x 10.5cm, 1pp typographic announcement card for a major museum show of posters, photographs and other works. This was one of the artist's earliest museum shows (although compared with other artists Boltanki was pretty successful in this regard with an exhibition in the ARC in Paris in 1970 which was his 5th ever solo show!). The card mentions more recent work bhy the artist where he plays a "clown".
The card is signed by Boltanski (to M. Berg) in black ink.
JOINT:
Hand addressed (by Boltanski) envelope to M. Berg with franked printed stamping.
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N.p. (Copenhague): Berg, 28 Aout 1974
29 x 21cm, original vintage carbon copy of a signed letter from M. Berg to Boltanski.
The letter says that Berg cannot come to Paris soon and that he has good memories of a meeting in Copenhagen with Boltanski and Annette Messager and the discussions about Messager's artist's book he was shown.
Berg mentions the clipping from the newspaper he sent before and a new clipping (see elsewhere in this collection) about the artist and he discussed Boltanski's development as an artist with his friend John Hunov. The conclusion of that discussion was that Hunov and Berg request to commission a book from Boltanski for publication by Berg Verlag and by the Galerie Daner.
Berg explains that he is in Copenhagen for the whole of September and that would be a good time for reflection and (one presume's) completion of such a project.
Some typed corrections but overall VG+.
This proposed book was later realised underthe title of "DESCRIPTION DES 34 REGLES ET TECHNIQUES UTILISEES EN JUIN 1972 PAR UN ENFANT DE 9 ANS." An important letter.
JOINT:
A hand typed original envelope from Bergs Forlag with Boltanski's address on it but seemingly unused. VG.
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Dunsyre: Wild Hawthorn Press, 1973.
16.5 x 13.5cm, 4pp. Artist card which shows a painting by Richard Demarco after a well known and loved slightly kitsch painting by Kate Greenaway of the same title that shows two young women cavorting in a tea cup. Finlay has had Demarco replace the women with a sailing boat (a calm). The Greenaway is a joke based on the saying "storm in a tea cup". This is a hugely popular card by Finlay which appeals to many who have no idea of any other work by the poet. VG+.
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