(British, born 1932)

A set of five original wood engravings on Japanese Tonosawa hand made paper; includes Fat Boy, Bearded Lady, Tattooed Man, Giant, and Midget, edition 76/100, each signed "Peter Blake" and inscribed, White ink Studios, printer, Waddington Graphics, London, publisher, each within a titled paper folder, sheets 10-1/2 x 8-1/2 in.; canvas covered portfolio

Provenance: Property of a Southern Museum sold to benefit the Acquisition Fund

Note: Peter Blake came into focus after designing the album cover for the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band published in 1967. In a note included in the description of this portfolio, The Met states, "Blake has engaged aspects of popular entertainment in his work throughout his career. Having frequented the circus since childhood, he has long been drawn to figures who, in his words, "don't conform to modern standards of beauty." Side Show is a portfolio of five wood engravings that he made after photographs. While the subject aligns with standard Pop themes, the execution does not. The intimate scale and format of the portfolio, as well as the artisanal technique and organic character of the wood and gampi paper involved in its production, are qualities seldom found in Pop artworks."

Reference: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/397348

good condition, each stamped by museum verso each folder and inscribed with accession number; portfolio with some lifting and toning to affixed paper title label, wear and pressure creases at corners