Jack Smith, The Beautiful Book

New York, Dead Language Press/ Piero Heliczer, 1962. Original edition consisting of 18 gelatin silver contact prints by Smith and 1 by Ken Jacobs (depicting Smith at the base of the Brooklyn Bridge). Hand assembled, mounted on yellow paper. Silk-screened cover by Marian Zazeela, an artist who also appears in the photographs. Softcover, 22.5 x 19 cm, 20 pp.

Original copies of the book are extremely rare, since Smith only created a single edition of approximately 60 copies (200 were intended), many of which have been lost. This copy has the usual aging on the cover and some glue marks inside, but generally in good condition. Actor, photographer, and filmmaker, Jack Smith (1932-1989) was a seminal figure of American performance art and underground cinema. His most famous film, Flaming Creatures (1963), was formative for both drag culture and 'trash' style. The Beautiful Book, his only autonomous photographic publication, was created in the same vibe.