Author: Crumb, Robert
Title: R. CRUMB RETROSPECTIVE * Signed
Place Published: NY
Publisher:Alexander Gallery
Date Published: 1993
Description: Blue cloth, illustrated paper cover label, spine titled in gilt. 4to. Unpaginated, but 300+ pp. Illustrated throughout, primarily in black & white, but with scattered color reproductions. First edition, hand-numbered with laid-in dollar bill (bill's serial number matches the handwritten number on the front free endpaper, although a previously-marked number is crossed out and signed, apparently by the gallery owner). Signed by Crumb on the front free endpaper. Very fine or better condition, very light shelfwear.A big, fat R. Crumb career retrospective published in 1993 by the artist's former art dealer, Alexander Acevedo. Although no official limitation statement was made by the Alexander Gallery, the Underground grapevine says that 500 copies were produced, each with a dollar bill whose serial number matches the handwritten number on the front free endpaper. A rumor circulated in the '90s that Acevedo destroyed half of the print run (minus the dollar bills) and doubled the price of the remaining copies, but we've been unable to confirm this. Unlike most R. Crumb limited editions, no signed version of this book was offered by the publisher. While other signed copies of this book undoubtedly exist, this is the only one that we've ever seen.

"Most of my work was done for the print medium; magazines and comic books. My first love has always been the cheap, popular, low-cost format of the comic-book, or joke-book, the lurid graphics of pulp-paper.... This world of galleries, museums, art openings, the buying and selling of original art to collectors, was never what I had in mind when I drew.... Therefore, I am amazed to see my work in this setting, I feel awkward and out-of-place here.... But its the same old story. The moment these cake-eaters from uptown decide to grace US with their lavish praise and red-carpet attention, we eat it up, we take the money, we let them buy us dinner in expensive joints. Hey, it's about time, right?? Am I impressed?? Yes, I admit it, I am.... Pathetic, but there it is." – R. Crumb, introduction, New York, August 1993.______________________________________________________________

A limited edition of ten hardcover catalogues is available, in addition to a few dozen softcovers. Fun reference, great keepsake, fully illustrated, chockablock with obscure facts, gags, bon mots. Softcovers are $40, deluxe hardcovers with dust jackets and limitation plates are $200. These books always go fast so don't delay. To order, contact ivan@pbagalleries.com.

Consignments welcome for PBA's Summer 2024 Comic Book sale. Top prices for Pre-Code Horror, Golden Age, Silver Age, original art and ephemera. Find out why PBA is the new fan-fave of funnybook fiends. "This is some of the best commentary I've yet seen on the quality of the content of comic books... Priceless." – R. Crumb. Send inquiries to ivan@pbagalleries.com.

Coming Soon: The DC Universe Collection Part 3: The Golden Age (August 2024) and Weird Tales and Amazing Stories: The PBA Pulp Sale (September 2024). Contact ivan@pbagalleries.com to get on the notifications list.