Vasarely (Plastic Arts of
the 20th C) – Joray / HB+DJ VG- / op art abstract modern color
illusion geometry geometric
Vasarely (Plastic Arts
of the 20th Century Series) :
Publisher: Editions
du Griffon, Neuchatel Switzerland (Am. distributor Wittenborn & Co.), 1965, 1st ed., hardcover with dustjacket, 195 pages, 197 color and b&w illustrations, no
ISBN.
Author: Victor Vasarely. Introduction by Marcel
Joray. Translated by Haakon Chevalier.
Condition:
Very good minus. Pages good to very
good, with minor age toning at edges, stamp and ink signature of previous owner
and penciled price by previous seller at top ffep. Page 3/4 is detached from
binding but in very good condition otherwise (see photos). Last signature
(pp. 187-195) is partly detached from the glued binding with 1 page fully detached
(p. 193/4). All other pages firmly
attached and very good—clean and unmarked.
This copy includes the complete laid-in section of 5 transparencies and their
associated 5 loose sheets (pp. 75-98) in a gray folder (see note below). Page block is square. Spine still solid (see note below). Covers show fading at edges of cloth covering
with a light bump on the lower spine—covers otherwise very good. Dustjacket very good, with lightly age-toned
edges, soil on back face, and light wear on corners and edges; protected under
mylar cover. Despite spine detachments,
this is an excellent copy with all pages present.
Note: Designed
by Vasarely to optimize his artwork, this innovative (for its time) book
includes foil papers, transparent and translucent pages, fold-outs, serigraphy,
and loose leaves intended to be stacked and removed for optical effects by the
reader. The varied materials and signatures were attached
to a glued binding that has loosened its grip on some pages with age, resulting in the detachment
issues noted above. Regarding the
folder of transparencies and papers:
Although all of the sheets contained in the folder were intended as
loose leaves, it is unclear whether the folder itself was originally attached
to the binding or intended as an insert; the folder itself has no glue residue
on its edge, so it appears to be laid-in.
The binding shows a gap in the spine where the folder belongs in the book’s
pagination (pp. 76-98).
Shipping: USPS media mail. Careful
packing and prompt shipping. Contact me
for combined shipping cost if purchasing multiple listings.
Keywords: art modern optical op art abstract
abstraction color geometry non-objective illusion perception visionary