Picasso 1960 First Edition First Print, First Gordon House Design Tate Catalogue
DURING PICASSO'S OWN LIFETIME. TATE 1960, PAINTINGS LENT BY PICASSO, LAVISHLY ILLUSTRATED 268 PLATES. FIRST PRINTING, FIRST EDITION, FIRST ART CATALOGUE DESIGNED BY GORDON HOUSE (THE BEATLES DESIGNER). This exhibition is widely considered an innovative first, even by Picasso's own standards, and as a result this catalogue was later widely reproduced. This exhibition was curated by Picasso's friend and biographer Roland Penrose, to which Picasso himself lent pieces from his own collection, hence the contents of this first printing, first edition catalogue provide uniquely authoritative provenance.
RARE 1960 FIRST PRINTING, FIRST EDITION, FROM THE COLLECTION OF RICHARD KLEIN, SIGNED BY KLEIN. Later printings were heavily edited by the publisher Arts Council of Great Britain who added new colour and black and white plates.
The reprint editions are clearly identified being marked on the half-title page with their respective reprint edition. To date there are four reprinted editions. This LOT is the original first edition, first printing designed by Gordon House, with only one colour plate amongst a total of 268 plates, presented as it was first intended to be seen during Picasso's lifetime. A now very seldom seen original and complete lavishly illustrated 120 page first edition, first printing of Picasso's 1960 exhibition catalogue from the Tate Gallery, a showcase during Picasso's lifetime which was organized and curated by his own friend and biographer Roland Penrose.
Picasso entrusted pieces from his own private collection to Penrose for the exhibition held between 6th July - 18th September 1960. This catalogue was the first ever art catalogue designed by iconic sixties graphic artist Gordon House. House himself later designed for the pop world, including The Beatles, designing their White Album and the rear sleeve of the Sergeant Pepper album.
The concept of this early exhibition was so well received that in the excitement a host of other avant-garde friends of Picasso and Penrose came forward to lend their works to the show, including actor Edward G. Robinson's art collection was one of the most significant private collections in the world during the mid-20th century. While many of his Hollywood peers collected art as status symbols during the golden era, museums and art scholars widely recognized Robinson's holdings for their curation, academic depth and staggering institutional value. Robinson appears alongside Picasso himself, with a full list of other credited lenders, on pages 61/62.
Sadly such avant-garde shows happen no more and as a result such catalogues are now extremely rare and in many ways just as sought after as Picasso's own original work, not least as an authoritative paper trail often providing much sought after trade data, prices and provenance. This trend was not new in 1960, to the extent that on page ten the catalogue includes an Exhibition Catalogues section which lists details of twenty five of Picasso's most authoritative exhibition catalogues of the time. Unique for not being created or curated by art dealers or corporations, but instead by Picasso's own close friend and biographer, included in this authoritative 1960 catalogue are well researched biographies which include historically accurate personal and painting data (including many of his travel dates) for Picasso's most noted creative works and periods. Saltimbanque and Rose Period 1904-6. Transition - The Negro Period 1907-9. The Anatomy of Dreams 1925-35. The soft back exhibition catalogue is still in very good condition with some rubbing and wear to covers and spine, signed on front cover by Richard Klein. Sized approximately 25cm x 19cm weighting approximately 333 grams prior to packaging. Any import duty or VAT would be buyers responsibility where relevant. My previous five UPS deliveries to my US customers arrived door to door in 4 days.