CHRISTIAN BOLTANSKI: A SUBSTANTIAL ARCHIVE (BOOKWORKS/OTHER DOCS

AN EXTENSIVE ARCHIVE OF  149 BOOKWORKS, ARTWORKS, MULTIPLES, LETTERS AND EPHEMERA RELATING TO THE ACTIVITIES OF CHRISTIAN BOLTANSKI FOR THE PERIOD OF 50 YEARS FROM 1965 TO 2009 SPANNING THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF HIS CAREER


Christian Boltanski began his professional career as a gallerist in the 1960s and (from 1959) had began to create his own artworks although his initial works were mostly paintings  (almost all are lost). Much of the early work was ignored and seemed ephemeral in its nature to the recipients (who were often given the works by random and did not know what it was they were given).

It was 1969 before Boltanski had his first solo exhibition.

As a result documents relating to Boltanski's earlier work is extremely scarce and, in many cases, entirely lost. His output was not widely collected until the late 1970s and according to his recent autobiography not really until the 1980s many years after he was taken on by the Sonnabend Gallery in 1972.

We offer here an extensive archive of material by and relating to Boltanski including some very important bookworks.

A substantial part of this archive came from the collection of a Danish collector and publisher (H. M. Berg) and about 20% of the material presented here was sent to him directly by Boltanski.  In the following where an item was part of the Berg archive we have noted that provenance in the description.

Many of these items offered here would be offered for individual prices of over 1,000 uk pounds and some would easily reach higher prices than even that.

The archive consists of the following 145 items:


THE SOLE DOCUMENTATION OF BOLTANSKI'S FIRST EVER PUBLIC DISPLAY OF PAINTINGS

(Boltanski, Christian, Le Gac, Ramon, Romero and others)
IV BIENNALE INTERNATIONALE DE PARIS PRESENT: UN AN D'EXISTENCE
Paris: Galerie Du Tournesol, October 1965
30 x 22.5cm, 1pp. Offset black on brown kraft paper. A leaflet/poster for La Galerie Tournesol (where Boltanski was the  director) where the exhibition displayed the gallery's one year of activities and included the work of Boltanski's close friend and later artistic collaborator Jean Le Gac along with the work of gallery artists Ramon, Romero, Mollien,  Bonneville and Indali as well as work by Boltanski himself who had only recently started to regard himself as an artist.  It was at this exhibition that Berg, the Swedish collector and early correspondent of the artist, first met Boltanski and many years of friendship and correspondence took place. Slight wear to edges and faint handling creases but a very good example of a rare item. There are two short contemporary 10 word notes in Berg's hand (blue ink) relating to the works of Bonneville and Ramon. It is worth noting that this is the first ever show in which Boltanski showed his works to the public and is probably the only extant documentation of this important moment in contemporary art.


Ramon
ORDRE DE MOBILISATION
Paris: Galerie Du Tournesol, 1965
21 x 13.7cm, 4pp plus tipped in folded 30 x 21cm, three colour silkscreen foldout poster and printed card covers as designed by Ramon. Artist;s book and exhibition catalogue for a show at the gallery where Christian Boltanski was the director. The book reprints an excerpt from a letter from Ramon's grandfather sent home to his lover Antoinette, an image of the soldier (silkscreened in white on the rear brown wrapper) and a target in red. Rare. Fine condition - from the collection of H. M. Berg.



(Boltanski, Christian)
Romero, Juan
HISTOIRE D'UN APRES-MIDI. 10 DESSINS.
Paris: Galerie Du Tournesol, 1965
25 x 36, five unbound and untrimmed 4pp sheets inside 25 x 30cm 4pp original wrappers. Artist's book/lithographs by Romero which illustrate a poem by the artist. Romero was (at the time) the most successful of the artists who were gathered by Christian Boltanski at his Gallery "Du Tournesol" which preceded his own artistic awakening. The sheets are gathered untrimmed here and are in very good condition apart from on single page which has a crease in it (within the untrimmed area). Rare.


(Boltanski, Christian)
Romero, Juan
C. BOLTANKSI PRESEND DESSINS ET AQUARELLES DE JUAN ROMERO / HISTOIRE D'UN APRES-MIDI. 10 DESSINS
Paris: Galerie Du Tournesol, 1965
23.5 x 32cm, 1pp invitation/publicity leaflet for the book and related exhibition. The text of the leaflet reads: "C. Boltanski presente Dessins et Aquarelles de Juan Romero du 26 Nov au 20 Dec 1966." Fine. Rare.



(Boltanski, Christian)
Berg, H.M.
CARBON COPY OF A TYPED LETTER 19 novembre 1965
30 x 21cm, 2pp original carbon copy of a typescript from an art collector (HM Berg of Copenhagen) to Boltanski and the Galerie du Tournesol thanking the latter for the Ramon material and in a humorous tone asks for information on the price of various works. This is the first of a number of such letters here where Berg corresponded with Boltanski on several matters and came to collect the (then) gallerist's own works.


Boltanski, Christian
A SIGNED TYPED LETTER RE RAMERO
21 x 15cm, 2pp. A signed letter from Christian Boltanski dated 24 novembre 1965 on a Galerie Du Tournesol letterhead replying to Berg discussing the Gallery's operations and Romero and including prices of various paintings. A rare early signed document from the period before Boltanski was recognised as an artist in his own right.


(Boltanski, Christian)
Berg, H.M.
CARBON COPY OF A TYPED LETTER 9 decembre 1965
30 x 21cm, 2pp original carbon copy of a typescript from an art collector (HM Berg of Copenhagen) to Boltanski continuing the discussion re Romero and indicating that the collector might buy one of the artworks. At the bottom of the letter (which is in French) is a small diagram and text written in red pen (in Danish) probably relating to one of the Romero artworks.


Boltanski, Christian
A SIGNED TYPED LETTER RE RAMERO
21 x 15cm, 2pp. A signed letter from Christian Boltanski dated 17 decembre 1965 on Galerie Du Tournesol letterhead replying to Berg and noting that one of the works has been reserved for the latter and discussing transportation details. Again a rare early signed document from the period before Boltanski was recognised as an artist in his own right.


(Boltanski, Christian)
Berg, H.M.
CARBON COPY OF A TYPED LETTER 2 fevrier 1966
21 x 15cm, 1pp original carbon copy of a typescript from Berg to Boltanski indicating that the purchased work had arrived and including the payment to the gallery (obviously not present here). Berg asks to visit the gallery the next time he is in Paris.


Boltanski, Christian
A SIGNED TYPED LETTER RE RAMERO
21 x 15cm, 2pp. A signed letter from Christian Boltanski dated 22 fevrier 1966 on Galerie Du Tournesol letterhead once again replying to Berg and mentioning that he had included some additional photographs. Again a rare early signed document from the period before Boltanski was recognised as an artist in his own right.



(Boltanski, Christian)
Le Gac, Jean
LE COIN  D'OEIL DU PASSANT
Paris: Galerie Du Tournesol, 1965
8.1cm x 18.2cm, 12pp (folded down from a single sheet, printed on one side only).
Announcement  and publicity leaflet to a Le Gac exhibition held in Boltanski's gallery. Short text probably written by Boltanski or Le Gac as well as an appropriated image of a moustachioed man. Additional foldline other than those intended but otherwise very good. The exhibition was one of the last by Le Gac where he displayed paintings as he refused to paint after 1967.
JOINT (laid in):
An unsigned rather sketchy hand drawing in ink on a piece of ripped and folded white
paper for the layout for the exhibition. Probably drawn by H. M. Berg since the texts appear to be written in Danish.



(Boltanski, Christian)
Berg, H.M.
CARBON COPY OF A TYPED LETTER 24 Mars 1966
21 x 15cm, 1pp original carbon copy of a typescript from Berg to Boltanski thanking the latter for his recent letters and enquiring if it would be possible to put on an exhibition of Romero in Copenhagen as well as announcing a visit by Berg to Paris where he hoped to visit Boltanski.


Boltanski, Christian
A SIGNED TYPED LETTER
18 x 21cm, 1pp. A signed letter from Christian Boltanski dated 30 mars 1966 on (a different from those offered above) Galerie Du Tournesol letterhead indicating that with regret, he (Boltanski) would not be in Paris during the dates of Berg's putative meeting.


Romero, Juan
DESSINS ET AQUARELLES DE JAUN ROMERO
Paris: Galerie Du Tournesol, decembre 1966
16.7 x 8.6, 6pp announcement leaflet for Romero's exhibition. Across the open central pages is an ornate reproduced lithograph by the artist and there is another of a flower on the front page of the folded card. Sent by Boltanski to Berg from the latter's Gallery Du Tournesol. Fine although the original leaflet has had a printed correction placed and glued down over a typographic mistake.


Boltanski, Christian
A SIGNED TYPED LETTER
27 x 21cm, 1pp. A signed typed  letter from Christian Boltanski dated 24 janvier 1967 on the letterhead of the Galerie Claude Levin, Paris - indicating that Boltanski had sought employment at the new Gallery and continuing a dialogue relating to Romero with Boltanski noting his friend had been favourably reviewed in the French journal “Art” by Jean-Jacques Leveque. Central fold from mailing.


(Boltanski, Christian)
Berg, H.M.
CARBON COPY OF A TYPED LETTER 12 fevrier 1967
21 x 15cm, 1pp original carbon copy of a typescript from Berg to Boltanski in which the collector indicates he is always open to find out about new items that Boltanski could offer from the new gallery and noting the latter's continuing interest in Le Gac and Romero. Berg offers to put Boltanski in touch with young Danish artists and again hopes to meet Boltanski some day soon.


(Boltanski, Christian)
Berg, H.M.
CARBON COPY OF A TYPED LETTER 7 mai 1967
21 x 15cm, 1pp original carbon copy of a typescript from Berg to Boltanski in which the collector offers to introduce Boltanski to a young Danish artist's work - and in particular an artist's book (Mokespil) written by Vagn Lundbye. It appears that Boltanski did not reply to this letter and there was a break in correspondence between the two until July 1970 when Boltanski began to correspond again with the collector and began to send the latter some of his artist's books and mail art.



BOLTANSKI'S FIRST EVER CONTRIBUTION TO A BOOK - NR 1 IN CATALOGUE RAISONNE

(Boltanski, Christian)
Sten, Oliver
L'ENTERREUR ET AUTRE POEMS
Paris: Editions Pierre Jean Oswald, 1966
17.5 x 11cm, 158pp. card covers with illustrations front and back by Christian Boltanski. Boltanski's first published contribution to a book and nr 1 in the Boltanski catalogue raisonne. Rare. Fine condition. As noted Boltanski Books nr 1.


AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE DOCUMENT

Boltanski, Christian.
ON NE REMARQUERA JAMAIS ….
Paris, s.p. (the artist), 1970
26 x 17.5cm, 1pp. Black on white offset on cartridge paper. A text by the artist dated mai 1969 which was sometimes included as a laid-in page in Boltanski's first ever artist's book: “Recherché et presentation de tout ce qui reste de mon enfance”. The book was later reprinted in various facsimile copies for Boltanski anthologies (eg Reconstructions - see below) but this key text was not included in those later copies. Interestingly the letter is reproduced on page 10 of Boltanski's catalogue raisonne of books but this copy differs in the way the typing was done with the line endings being different. This copy of this leaflet was also in Berg's collection and presumably was sent by Boltanski to Berg as a mail art item. Fine condition.


Boltanski, Christian.
TOUT CE QUE JE SAIS D'UNE FEMME QUI EST MORTE ET QUE JE N'AI PAS CONNUE
(a.k.a. Les documents photographiques qui suivent m'ont été transmis par Luis Caballero)
Paris, s.p. (the artist), 1970
21 x 13.5cm, 12 pp.  Artist's book. First edition of this Botlanski's second artist's book. Sometimes referred to as: 'Tout ce que je sais d'une femme qui est morte et que je n'ai pas connue'. This is the first book in which Boltanski used photographs relating to someone of whom he had little or no knowledge (the images were found by his friend Caballero in a desk drawer). Limitation is not known but it was probably very small (editions at this time varied between 30 and 60 copies usually).  Fine. Very rare. It is worth noting that this copy has a single staple (slightly rusted) in the centre of the pages as binding - Fley in her catalogue raisonne of Boltanski books notes that this book should be sewn but this is incorrect - this book was found in H. M. Berg's archive and was definitely sent to him by Boltanski in a  franked amd mailed  envelope containing Boltanski's first ever book (since sold to the Aarons NYC collection by ourselves). Additionally on checking the Aarons collection's example of this book also has a single staple (the later reprints have two staples) so it appears Fley is incorrect noting that all copies are sewn. As a further aside it appears other descriptions of books and relevant information in the catalogue raisonne also appear to be incorrect based on items we hold in our archive - but in fairness this would probably have arisen from being supplied with incorrect information or not having examples of the early books to check against. In any case Boltanski books nr 11.



(Boltanski, Christian)
Berg, H.M.
CARBON COPY OF A TYPED LETTER 13 juiliet 1970
29.7 x 21cm, 1pp original carbon copy of a typescript from Berg to Boltanski thanking the latter for his gift of mail art (books and photographs).


Boltanski
CHORUS NR 5/6 (PROJECT FOR CHORUS)
Paris: Chorus, 1970
24.1 x 18.6 cm. Single number of this art journal which published original contributions by artists. Here there are texts and works by Christian Boltanski (a double page spread of two photographs of the artist lying prone as if dead), J.P. Le Boul'ch, Jean Le Gac, A. Lance, P. Tilman, F. Venaille. Very good. Scarce. Ref:  Boltanski Books Nr 15.


ONE OF ONLY 60 SUCH COPIES WITH HAND ADDRESSED MAILING ENVELOPE EXTANT

Boltanski, Christian
CHRISTIAN BOLTANSKI ET SES FRERES 5/9/59
Paris: s.p. (the artist), 1970
8.6 x 11.4cm b/w  photograph and text. An extremely rare mail art piece which reproduces a found photograph from a family holiday at the Baltic Sea. Only 60 of these mail art pieces were sent out by the artist - here the original hand addressed (by Boltanski in pencil) mailing envelope is still extant and franked November 1970. Exceptionally rare. Fine. Ref:  Boltanski Books Nr 16.



Boltanski, Christian and Sarkis
BOLTANSKI/SARKIS
Paris: Musee d'Art Moderne Paris, 1970
42 x 29cm printed red-brown on white poster for Boltanski's exhibition with Sarkix - the image employed is that of both artists' hands holding a sculptural work each (Boltanski's is a weapon - many of his very first works were hand-made miniature and full size weapons). This was only Boltanski's second solo  show (albeit with Sarkix) proceeded only by an exhibition the year before in the Galerie Givaudan. The two artists continued as friends for many years afterwards. Folded but otherwise fine. Scarce early document.



Boltanski, Christian
CATALOGUE. RECONSTITUTION DE GESTES EFFECTUES PAR CHRISTIAN BOLTANSKI ENTRE
1948 ET 1954
Paris: s.p. (the artist), 1970
13.5 x 21cm, 12pp. First edition.  By 1970, Boltanski was taken on by Sonnabend as his main gallerist but this artist's book was in fact self-published. An extremely important early artist's book where the artist re-enacts remembered childhood moments with the experiment being photographed by his friend Sarkis and reproduced in the book as if the images were genuine and not re-enactments. One of 500 copies printed. Fine albeit with rusty staples. Ref Boltanski Books   Nr 17
JOINT:
The original hand-addressed (by Boltanski) mailing envelope franked December 1970.



Boltanski, Christian
CATALOGUE. ESSAIS DE RECONSTITUTION D'OBJECTS AVANT APPARTENU A CHRISTIAN BOLTANSKI ENTRE 1948 ET 1954
Paris: Edition Sonnabend, 1971
22 x 13.5cm, 8pp artist's book. First edition. A work of fiction pretending to be genuine - the supposed previously owned objects are described quasi-scientifically as if in an auction catalogue with b/w illustrations. Limitation not known.  Ref: Boltanski Books   Nr 19. Scarce.
JOINT:
The original hand-addressed (by Boltanski) mailing envelope franked March 1971.
 


(Boltanski, Christian)
Berg, H.M.
CARBON COPY OF A TYPED LETTER 22 avril 1971
21 x 15cm, 1pp original carbon copy of a typescript from Berg to Boltanski thanking  the latter for his most recent gifts of mail art (books).



HAND ADDRESSED BY BOLTANSKI

Boltanski, Christian
CHRISTIAN BOLTANSKI
Paris: Galerie Sonnabend, 1971
10.6 x 15.2cm, 1pp. Announcement card, typographic only. Hand addressed to H. M. Berg by Boltanski in blue felt tipped pen and franked December 1971.



(Boltanski, Christian)
Berg, H.M.
CARBON COPY OF A TYPED LETTER 16 aout 1971
21 x 15cm, 1pp original carbon copy of a typescript from Berg to Boltanski enclosing 2 large newspaper cuttings from Danish newspapers which mention Boltanski (as well as reproducing works by him).
JOINT
Two cuttings from two Danish newspapers which refer to Boltanski in extensive reviews. Presumably duplicate copies retained by Berg. Both browned and folded but otherwise very good condition.


Boltanski, Christian
A SIGNED HANDWRITTEN LETTER
21 x 14.8cm, 1pp. A signed handwritten letter from Christian Boltanski dated 23 aout 1972 thanking the Berg for his letter and cuttings. Boltanski offers his telephone number to Berg in the same letter. Folded for mailing.
JOINT:
Hand addressed (by Boltanski) mailing envelope.



Boltanski, Christian
SIGNED CIRCULAR LETTER ANNOUNCING 10 PORTRAITS DE CHRISTIAN BOLTANSKI AND LE DECOR BY JEAN LE GAC
Paris: Multiplicata, October 1972
29.7 x 21cm, 1pp announcement letter for the book “10 portraits de Christian Boltanski 1946 - 1964” and Le Gac's “Le Decor” sent to Berg by the publisher (Durand) and signed in felt pen by the latter. Folded for mailing.
JOINT:
Hand addressed mailing envelope.



Boltanski, Christian
L'ALBUM PHOTOGRAPHIQUE DE CHRISTIAN BOLTANSKI, 1948-1956
Hamburg/Paris: Grossman Verlag/Edition Sonnabend, 1972
20.8 x 14.6cm, 32pp. Card covers. First edition of this artist's book with 32 b/w photographs of the artist recreating scenes from his childhood. Texts in French, English and German. . Boltanski Books  nr 27. Fine.


A UNDOCUMENTED PAGEWORK

Boltanski, Christian
DESCRIPTION DES 34 REGLES ET TECHNIQUES UTILISEE PAR UN ENFANT DE 9 AQNS (LA PLIAGE DE LA FLECHE)
In
Studio International, March 1973
London: Studio International, 1973
30.5 x 24cm, pagination is from 97 - 148 (serial numbering) plus adverts (c. 20pp). A single specially commissioned pagework by Boltanski on page 122 as part of a feature of 6 French artist pageworks (others are Sauerwein, Cadere, Le Gac, Zabunyan and Guinochet). Bolatnaksi reproduces 8 b/w photographs of his recreation of the young artist making an paper airplane. This really should be in the Fley catalogue as a Boltanski artist book but is not. Some rubbing to edges of the magazine otherwise VG. Scarce.



(Boltanski, Jean le Gac, Annette Messager).
BOLTANSKI, LE GAC, MESSAGER.
Text by M. Lemoine. Dijon: self-published (Musee Rude), 1973
21 x 30 cm. 75 pp. B/w photo-documents throughout. Printed wrappers. First edition of this collaborative self-published bookwork in mock-catalogue format. Documents individuated projects by the (at the time) closely affiliated artists. A fine example. Scarce.



Boltanski, Le Gac, and others
SEVEN FRENCH ARTISTS. Edinburgh Arts 73
Edinburgh: Richard Demarco Gallery, 1973
30 x 21cm  exhibition catalogue  consisting of outer 4pp folded cover and 5 sheets of insets. It is b/w throughout and the Le Gac contribution is also 1pp. The outer folder is in only fair condition (bumped and slightly torn but the internal pages (including the Boltanski and le Gac contributions) are very good, thus overall: good to very good). Boltanski had intended to create a transparent front step for the gallery thus freezing the ground underneath in a state of unchanging stasis for at least ten years. The (then) parochial right wing Conservative local authority refused him permission and the correspondence between artist, gallery and council and a reproduced photograph of the prototype step in situ are reproduced herein. Very rare and unknown early exhibition catalogue and work (or rather non-work).



Boltanski, Christian
LIST OF EXHIBITS BELONGING TO A WOMAN OF BADEN-BADEN FOLLOWED BY AN EXPLANATORY NOTE
Oxford: Museum of Modern Art, 1973
18 x 11.2 cm 4pp, artist's book with 52 small b/w images of a local woman's belongings and a short note of the artist's intention. Text in English. A very good example. Ref: Boltanski Books Nr 30.



Boltanski, Christian
CHRISTIAN BOLTANSKI: INVENTAIRE DES OBJETS APPARTENANT  UN HABITANT D'OXFORD.../ VERZEICHNIS DER OBJEKTE, DIE EINEM EINWOHNER OXFORD'S GEHREN.../ INVENTORY OF THE OBJECTS BELONGING TO AN INHABITANT OF OXFORD INTRODUCED BY A PREFACE AND FOLLOWED BY SOME ANSWERS TO MY PROPOSAL
Munster: Wesfalischer Kunstverein, 1973
20.6 x 14.8cm, unpaginated (80pp), artist's book with 344 small b/w images of a dead woman's belongings and 10 full page b/w reproductions of the artist's correspondence with various public galleries asking for space for their exhibition. Texts in French, German and English. A very good example with some quite minor wear and handling to the wrappers. Ref: Boltanski Books Nr 31.




Boltanski, Christian
DESCRIPTIONS DES 34 REGLES ET TECHNIQUES UTILISSEE DE JUIN 1972 PAR UN ENFANT DE 9 ANS
Paris: Galerie Sonnabend, Avril 1974
11 x 15.4cm, 1pp.  Invitation card to the Boltanski exhibition - "Descriptions des 34 regles et techniques utilissee de Juin 1972 par un enfant de 9 ans" - which took place in the Sonnabend Gallery, Paris. This is rare ephemera - the show was only Boltanski's fifth solo show. This example was hand addressed by Boltanski verso in pen and franked April 1974.



Boltanski, Christian
UNTITLED (LA CONVERSATION SURPRISE)
Paris: AQ, n.d. (c. 1973)
22.4 x 14cm, 6pp self-covers. Artist's book which was released to promote the forthcoming AQ edition dedicated to Boltanski, Gette and Le Gac. Five b/w full page reproductions of photographs of Boltanski acting out short scenarios or recreations against painted backgrounds. The titles of all images indicate CB is "interpreting" the roles of father, grand-father, mother, child and an old professor.  There is one page of publisher's blurb promoting the forthcoming edition of AQ. Not in Boltanski Catalogue of Books. There are minor creases on two pages and the whole publication is badly folded (probably by hand by the small publisher) but otherwise very good. Very scarce.



Boltanski, Christian, Hans Peter Feldmann and others
AQ 13. PHOTOS
Antibes, France: AQ (Anti-Quarium), 1973
21.5 x 21.5cm, 74pp  plus pictorial wrappers. A special number of this art journal dedicated to photographic works. Original contributions from amongst others Boltanski -  here the cover (an appropriated photograph "Tout ce que je sais d'une femme qui est morte et que je n'ai pas connue") and two pageworks not available elsewhere to the best of our knowledge 10 Scenes de la Vie Enfantine de Christian Boltanski interpretees le 12 Juin 1971 par Francoise Guiniou et les petits Jean et Martine and Essai de reconstitution des 46 jours qui precederent la mort de francoise Guiniou. Feldman offers reproductions of two of his Bilder (14 Mountains and 12
Airplanes) and there is also a work by le Gac "Le Decor" presumably from his early artist's book of the same name as well as McCall, Gette and Gerz. Very good condition. Scarce.



LOUISIANA REVY NR 2 14 ARGANG
Denmark: Musee Louisiana, 1973
34 x 25cm, 48pp. Wrappers. A single number of this review which was retained by HM Berg and a copy (a different one) sent to Boltanski because of a 3pp article (pgs 22/23) reviewing a Boltanski exhibition. One full page reproduction of a Boltanski collection of found objects. The other artists covered include Christo (a full back page reproduction of Valley Curtain), Fellini, Dubuffet and Tapies. Fine.




Boltanski, Christian.
QUELQUES SOUVENIRS DE LA PREMIERE COMMUNION D'UNE FILLETTE RECUEILLIS ET DECRITS PAR CHRISTIAN BOLTANSKI.
Paris: Edition Georges Fall, 1974
21 x 15cm, 12 pp. 9 b/w photographs. Wrappers. First edition. This is one of the additional 25 signed and numbered H.C. copies aside from the total edition of 150 numbered copies and 25 artist's proof copies. Composed of drawings, collages and appropriated photographs supposedly depicting the artist Annette Messager's first communion. A fine example. Rare. Boltanski Books Nr 35.



Boltanski, Christian
CHRISTIAN BOLTANSKI: RECUEIL DE SAYNETES COMIQUES INTERPRETEES PAR CHRISTIAN BOLTANSKI / SAMMLUNG LUSTIGER EINAKTER DARGESTELLT VON CHRISTIAN BOLTANSKI / COLLECTION OF COMICAL ONE-ACT PLAYS PERFORMED BY CHRISTIAN BOLTANSKI
Munster: Wesfalischer Kunstverein, 1974
22 x 16.7cm, unpaginated (82pp), artist's book with 49l b/w images of Boltanski's (deliberately poor) playing of comedic situations from his (imaginary/reconstructed) childhood. Texts in French, German and English. A very good example with some quite minor wear and handling to the wrappers. Ref: Boltanski Books Nr 37.



Boltanski, Christian
INVENTAIRE DES OBJETS AYANT APPARTENU A UNE FEMME DE BOIS-COLOMBES
Paris: CNAC, 1974
21 x 14cm. 48pp plus wrappers. Artist's book with 310 small b/w images of items supposedly belonging to a dead woman however items belonging to Annette Messenger (Boltanski's wife of the time) and the artist's parents were also added to the illustrations. Text by the artist in French. Scarce. Ref: Boltanski Books Nr 38.


(Boltanski, Christian)
Berg, H.M.
CARBON COPY OF A TYPED LETTER 28 aout 1974
30 x 21cm, 1pp original carbon copy of a typescript from Berg to Boltanski written in a jovial tone, indicating that while he (berg) had not been able to travel to Paris for a while he had kept up with Boltanski and Messager's careers and inviting Boltanski to collaborate on a future project (“un projet reve”) This dream project was eventually to become the 20 Regles artist's book of 1975..
JOINT : A typed addressed but unused envelope with Boltanski's address on it.



(Boltanski, Christian along with Baldassari, Le Gac and others)
NARRATIVE ART
Rome: Cannaiello Studio D'arte, 1974
21 x 30cm, 24pp plus printed card covers. Exhibition catalogue for a group show of conceptual artists working in the field of photography. Artists include Boltanski, Baldassari, Cumming, Le Gac, Hutchison and Wegman - each having a full page b/w illustration of the displayed work reproduced. Text in Italian and English.  Fine.



SIGNED AND ADDRESSED BY BOLTANSKI

Boltanski, Christian
ANNOUNCEMENT CARD FOR CHRISTIAN BOLTANSKI WESTFALLERSCHER KUNSTVEREIN
Munster: Westfallerscher Kunstverein, 1974
15 x 10.5cm, 1pp. Announcement card (typographic only) with a hand written note by Boltanski.
JOINT:
Original hand addressed envelope in Boltanski's hand.
JOINT
Boltanski, Christian and Annette Messager
HAND WRITTEN LETTER FROM BOTH ARTISTS - SIGNED AND WRITTEN BY BOTH DATED  4 SEPTEMBER 1974
30 x 21cm, 2pp.  Two letters written to H. M. Berg by both artists on the same double sided sheet of paper. The texts from both artists are friendly and Boltanski discusses artist's books and potential collaborations with H. M. Berg and Boltanski indicates that he is undertaking new work on a new theme (a series of burlesque portraits (presumably of himself) which would be photographic. Folded for insertion in a small envelope but otherwise fine.


(Boltanski, Christian)
Berg, H.M.
CARBON COPY OF A TYPED LETTER 27 septembre 1974
30 x 21cm, 1pp original carbon copy of a typescript from Berg indicating he had sent a maquette of a design for a potential artist's book to the artist. The book referred to was “20 REGLES ET TECHNIQUES UTILISEES EN 1972” of which Berg was the publisher.



Boltanski, Christian
20 REGLES ET TECHNIQUES UTILISEES EN 1972 PAR UN ENFANT DE 9 ANS./ 20 REGLER OG TEKNIKKER ANVENDT I 1972 AF ET BARN PA 9 AR
Bergs Forlag, Købengavn, 1975
16.9 x 11.2cm, 48pp. Original card covers. b/w artists book where Boltanski recreates the ways in which a young child plays. Texts in Danish and French. From the numbered first edition of 600 copies. Slight remnant of former price label mark on back cover, otherwise very good. This book was the result of Boltanski's lengthy correspondence with H. M. Berg (see above) who published the book after direct discussion with the artist. Ref: Boltanski Books Nr 41.


(Boltanski, Christian)
Berg, H.M.
CARBON COPY OF A TYPED LETTER 27 janvier 1975
30 x 21cm, 1pp original carbon copy (black on green) of a typescript from Berg to Boltanski thanking the latter for a gift of a photograph (a signed self portrait - not offered in this archive). Fine.


SIGNED AND MAILED BY BOLTANSKI WITH A SHORT NOTE

Boltanski, Christian
ZUM TOTLACHEN
Dusseldorf: Stadtische Kunstehalle, 1975
21 x 15cm, 1pp b/w announcement leaflet for the title exhibition which is annotated on the reverse by Boltanski in blue ink to his friend "Amicalement et merci pour votre acceuil C. Boltanski". The image is one of the artist talking to his ventriloquist dummy.
JOINT:
The hand addressed (by Boltanski) envelope (although posted in Stuttgart). Both fine although the leaflet is horizontally folded for mailing.  Ref: Boltanski Books nr 43.



Boltanski, Christian
SOUVENIRS DE JEUNESS INTERPRETES PAR CHRISTIAN BOLTANSKI
Geneva: Editions Adelina Cuberyan, 1975
22.5 x 15cm, 22pp  plus card covers. True first edition. Artist's book with 10 b/w photographs of the artist talking to a ventriloquist's dummy. The text makes it clear that the dialogue reproduced in the book is from the dummy's point of view. Limitation not known but not extensive.  Very good and scarcely encountered. Ref: Boltanski Books Nr 42.


Boltanski, Christian
SAYNETES COMIQUES
Brussels: Palais des Beaux Arts, 1975
21 x 29.7cm, 32pp printed b/w recto only. Boards. Artist's book with Boltanski re-enacting scenes from his life against painted backgrounds without any attempt at disguise or realism. Original 1st edition published as part of the 12 x 1 collection. . Fine condition. Ref: Boltanski Books Nr 45. Fine.



Boltanski, Christian, Buren, Daniel, Filliou, Robert, Le Gac, Jean, Vautier,
Ben and others
12 X 1 - BEN BOLTANSKI BUREN CANE DZEUZE ERRO FILLIOU/PFEUFER, LE GAC, MEURICE, MONORY POMMEREULLE, VIALLAT
Bruxelles: Europalia en collaboration avec la Societe des Expositions du Palais des Beaux-Arts de Bruxelles, 1975
30 x 21 cm, 56pp plus wrappers. Exhibition catalogue which displays the works from the group show. Text in French, German and Dutch.
JOINT (LAID IN):
29.7 x 21cm, 4pp (recto only) loose folio sheets - the hand out for the exhibition with text in French.


WITH A NOTE FROM BOLTANSKI

Boltanski, Christian
CHRISTIAN BOLTANSKI
NYC: Sonnabend Gallery, 1975
16.7 x 11.7cm, 2pp. Announcement card with recto a full sheet image of the artist in his “father” persona, recto:  gallery details. This copy hand addressed by Boltanski to Berg with a note in ink “amicalement, C. Boltanski”. Fine. Scarce early card similar to nr 47 in Boltanski Books but also Ref: Konig: Schenkung Christian Boltanski Nr. 111.


Boltanski, Christian
LE PAPA BRICOLEUR
Antibes: Aroocaria Editions, 1975
14.5 x 10.5cm.  1pp. Artist postcard released as an official edition. Here, Boltanski the caring family man acts out a scene with a puppet. Ref: Konig: Schenkung Christian Boltanski Nr. 107. Fine.


Boltanski, Christian
LE REPAS REFUSE
Antibes: Aroocaria Editions, 1975
14.5 x 10.5cm.  1pp. Artist postcard released as an official edition. Here, Boltanski the caring family man acts out a scene where he is feeding his puppet. Ref: Konig: Schenkung Christian Boltanski Nr. 108. Fine.


HAND ADDRESSED BY BOLTANSKI

Boltanski, Christian
CHRISTIAN BOLTANSKI PHOTOGRAPHIES
Paris: Galerie Sonnabend, 1976
10.8 x16.7cm, 1pp. Typographic announcement card. This copy hand addressed by Boltanski to Berg. Fine.



Boltanski, Christian
CHRISTIAN BOLTANSKI PHOTOGRAPHIES COLEURS
Paris: Musee National d'Art Moderne, 1976
10.6 x 16.7cm, 1pp. Typographic announcement leaflet with verso an interesting short text by Boltanski in his facsimile hand taken from a letter to the curator. We believe this was Boltanski's first museum exhibition, at least in France. This example was in the H M Berg archive and presumably sent to him by Boltanski. Fine.



(Boltanski, Schneemann, Messenger and others)
BEETHOVEN MUSIC FOR THE MILLIONS
Arnhem: Stichting Festival, 1977
21 x 15cm, 28pp plus printed wrappers. Programme in advance (which contains original artist's contributions) for the annual Stichting Festival. Approx. 40 b/w reproductions of works or original contributions by 14 participating artists including 1pp of 4 b/w small photographs by Boltanski, (presumably an original contribution/documentation of "Les 21 vetements de Francois C. en 1972") and a one page work by Messenger (Quel beau spectacle). Fine condition.



HAND ADDRESSED BY BOLTANSKI

Boltanski, Christian
CHRISTIAN BOLTANSKI LES IMAGES STIMULI
Milano: Bruna Soletti, 1977
10.8 x 14.4cm, 1pp. Typographic announcement card. This copy hand addressed by Boltanski to Berg on the verso. Fine.



Boltanski, Christian
LES IMAGES STIMULI
Warsaw: Galeria Foksal, 1978
15 x 21cm, 12pp. Original wrappers. Artist book displaying 14 b/w photos of everyday objects that might gain a child's attention because of their interesting appearance. One of 500 unnumbered copies but quite a scarce item. Ref: Boltanski Books Nr 52.



Boltanski, Christian
RECONSTITUTION
Paris/Karlseruhe: Editions di Chene/Badischer Kunstverein, 1977
30 x 21cm, 2pp. Announcement leaflet and order form for the deluxe edition of "Christian Boltanski Reconstitution". Folded for mailing and a little tatty around the edges. This example was in the H M Berg archive and presumably sent to him by Boltanski.



Boltanski, Christian
RECONSTITUTION
Paris/Karlseruhe: Editions di Chene/Badischer Kunstverein, 1978
20.5 x 20.5cm, 124pp. Original card wrappers. Artist book and exhibition catalogue reviewing Boltanski's later photographic works with many b/w reproductions. Ref: Boltanski Books Nr 52 although this is an unsigned variant on the book described there which was issued with card covers and not bound in cloth. Spine slightly broken up otherwise VG.


NOT IN BOLTASNKI BOOKS CATALOGUE RAISONNE

Boltanski, Christian
LES MODELES, CINQ RELATIONS ENTRE TEXTE ET IMAGE
France: Edition Cheval d'Attaque, 1979
22 x 16cm,  94pp plus pictorial wrappers. Artist's book/exhibition catalogue published as part of the Boltanski "Les Modeles qui a eu lieu a la Maison de la Culture de Chalon". Fine. Surprisingly not in the Boltanski catalogue raisonne despite 2,000 being printed. Near fine and again surprisingly scarce.



HAND ADDRESSED BY BOLTANSKI

Boltanski, Christian
CHRISTIAN BOLTANSKI. SCHOOL PROJECT PS1
New York, Institute for Art and Urban Resources, 1979
10.2 x 15cm, 1pp. Typographic announcement card. This copy hand addressed by Boltanski to Berg on the verso. Fine.



HAND ADDRESSED BY BOLTANSKI

Boltanski, Christian
CHRISTIAN BOLTANSKI
New York: Sonnabend Gallery, 1979
10.8 x 15cm, 1pp. Typographic announcement card printed yellow and black. This copy hand addressed by Boltanski to Berg although the Danish post office placed an adhesive sticker over this due to a change of address by Berg and a redirection. Slight edge wear besides.



(Boltanski, Christian, Annette Messager, the Poirier's and others)
FRENCH ART - AN ENGLISH SELECTION
London: Serpentine Gallery, 1979
17 x 20.5cm, 32pp plus printed card covers. Exhibition catalogue for a group show of French conceptual artists. Of those on display Boltanski, Messager and the Poiriers are those who have continued to be in the public eye. Each featured artist has a double page spread, a short artist's statement and 2 works in colours or b/w reproduced. Fine although there are extensive hand written notes and sketches of works throughout in black ink by an unnamed critic who claims Boltanski's work evokes the following: “gay/rather joyous” while Messager's artist statement is denoted as a “cliché”



HAND ADDRESSED BY BOLTANSKI

Boltanski, Christian
COMPOSITIONS
Paris: Musee National d'Art Moderne, 1981
10.6 x 15.8cm, 1pp. Typographic announcement leaflet for this important Boltanski exhibition.
JOINT:
Hand addressed (by the artist) envelope sent to HM Berg. Both fine.


Boltanski, Christian
COMPOSITIONS
Paris: Musee D'Art Moderne De La Ville De Paris, 1981
19.6 x 21cm, 56pp. Card covers. Exhibition catalogue and artist's book including an interview between Boltanski and Suzanne Page. Minor rubbing to the covers but otherwise very good. Not in Boltanski books.



Boltanski, Christian
POSTCARD REPRODUCTION OF COMPOSITION GROTESQUE 1981 SIGNED BY THE ARTIST
Lyon: La Nouveau Musee, 1981
10.5 x 15cm, 2pp colour postcard signed (by scratching the black background to the image) by Boltanski. VG.



BOLTANSKI CONTRIBUTES


Boltanski, Christian
LANTERNE MAGIQUE
Middelburg: De Vleeshal, 1982
10.5 x 15 cm card cover content of a 8pp accordion folded card which opens out to 10.5 x 60cm and displays a fake ship sailing during a heavy storm. The images are taken from a Boltanski shadow play installation. The first edition of this delightful artist's book which was issued in a limited edition of only 250 copies. Fine. Ref: Boltanski Books Nr 56. Rare.



Boltanski, Christian
CHRISTIAN BOLTANSKI
Paris: Centre Georges Pompidou, 1984
16.8 x 15cm, 2pp. Announcement card for Boltanski's major exhibition in the Centre Pompidou and Musee National D'Art Moderne, Paris. Recto a full colour image of a Boltanski model of an angel, verso details of the preview. This card was in the archive of H M Berg and was the very last item received by the latter sent to him (one presumes) by Boltanski. After this item it appears the two friends stopped corresponding for no obvious reason although Boltanski at this point had become one of France's better known artists as evidenced by the importance of this exhibition and the monograph (see below) which was published in conjunction with the show. Fine.



Boltanski, Christian
CHRISTIAN BOLTANSKI
Paris: Centre Georges Pompidou, 1984
27 x 23.5cm, 124 pp. Card covers. Exhibition catalogue for Boltanski's first significant retrospective with essays by Dominique Bozo, Bernard Blistered, Serge Lemoine and Thaddeus Cantor. Illustrated throughout in colours and b/w.


A SCARCE RECORD

Boltanski, Buren. Saris et al
LA FRANCE A LA BIENNALE
Paris: Association Francoise D'action Artistique, 1985
Standard long playing record (33rpm) with gate fold sleeve and 16pp 26 x 26cm, booklet.  The incredibly hard to find artist's record released on the occasion of the French biennale with contributions by Boltanski, Buren, Sarki, Bertrand and Lavier. Boltanski's contribution is "La reconstitution de chansons qui ont été chantées à Christian Boltanski entre 1944 et 1946" and a small photograph on the gatefold sleeve.  Buren's audio work is "L'indicible" based on a text by the artist and with music by Loupideloupe, 1985, Buren also contributes the back cover design as an original work  One small tear on back, and one mark on vinyl but plays perfectly Very good overall. Quite rare.


Boltanski, Christian, Javier Aguirre, James Coleman, Jan Fabre, Gilbert & George, Rebecca horn, Jannis Kounellis
FROM THE EUROPE OF OLD
Amsterdam: Amsterdam: Stedelijk, 1987
21.5 x 21.5c, silver printed folder content of seven separate exhibition booklets each 21 x 21cm, 8pp plus card covers. Boltanski contains 3 colour images of works. Fine example.


Boltanski, Christian.
LE LYCEE CHASES
Dusseldorf: Kunstverein fur die Rheinlande, 1987
29.7 x 20.7cm, unpaginated. Heavy card covers with dj. First edition of this artist's book which displays various portraits in b/w which have been modified to seem more ethereal perhaps even ghostly. One of 1,000 copies released. Ref: Boltanski Books Nr 61.
JOINT (LAID IN):
29 x 20.5cm, 8pp. Exhibition commentary with a text in German displaying a chronology of Boltanski's career with many small b/w reproductions of works. This latter document is scarce.


Boltanski, Christian
EL CASO
Madrid: Centro De Arte Reina Sofia, 1988
23.5 x 34cm, 64pp plus tissue guards and boards. Artist's book and exhibition catalogue displaying images in b/w and colour of various Spanish houses which it is claimed are all “scenes of crime”. Long essay in Spanish by Daniel Soutif. Limitation not known. Ref: Boltanski books nr 64. Fine.



Boltanski, Christian
GEO. HARLY DANSEUR PARODISTE
Dijon: Art & Art / L' Album, 1988
21 x 14cm, 22pp. Card covers. The true first edition of this artist's book with reproduced found photographs of the supposed dancer: perhaps Boltanski's most playful production.  One of 300 numbered copies on Vergé Ivoire. Near fine with only slight fading to card covers near the spine due to age. Ref: Boltanski books nr 65. Now very scarce.




Boltanski, Christian
PROTECTION . A PROJECT FOR ARTFORM
USA: Artforum, vol. XXVII no. 8 April 1989.
26.5 x 26.5cm, approx 200pp. Wrappers. Single issue of this well known periodical which contains four pages (pp126 - 129) by Christian Boltanski and Annette Messager of photographs of teddy bears. An original pagework by the former lovers. The Boltanski aspect suggests loss while the Messager suggests guardianship. Fine estate. Ref: Boltanski books nr 68.



Boltanski, Christian and others
23 (33) IMAGES DE L'ART FRANCAIS
Moscow: Maison Centrale De L'Artiste, 1989
Group show including Boltanski, Buren, Calle, Filliou, Le Gac, Messenger, and others. 4 colour postcards in printed envelope with 2 offset inserts - texts in Russian and French. Four views of the exhibition are reproduced recto in full colour. One closed tear to the envelope, otherwise fine.



Boltanski, Christian
ARCHIVES.
Arles: Edition le Mejan - Actes Sud, 1989.
8vo. 48pp. 100 b/w photo-images. Printed wrappers. First edition of this bookwork. The images were appropriated from a 1972 issue of a weekly magazine specializing in crime news. It is deliberately impossible to tell which photographs are of victims, which of perpetrators - and it is always possible the entire book is a fiction utilising randomly found photographs. A fine example. Ref: Boltanski books nr 70.



Boltanski, Christian, Jean Le Gac, Annette Messenger and others
23 (33) IMAGES DE L'ART FRANCAIS
Moscow: Maison Centrale De L'Artiste, 1989
11.4 x 16.1cm printed envelope content of four 10.5 x 15cm colour 2pp postcards and two 21 x 15cm, folded black on blue inserts. Exhibition catalogue for this group show including Boltanski, Buren, Calle, Filliou, Le Gac, Messenger and others. Texts are in Russian and French. Four views of the exhibition are reproduced recto in full colour. One closed tear to the envelope, otherwise fine. Scarce.



Boltanski, Christian and others
CHRISTIAN BOLTANSKI,  DANIEL BUREN, GILBERT & GEORGE, JANNIS KOUNELLIS, SOL LE WITT, RICHARD LONG MARIO MERZ
Bordeaux: CMd'AC, 1990
29 x 23cm, 210pp plus hard covers and dj. Exhibition catalogue with many full colour, full page, reproductions of works (with many fold outs) Very good apart from a tear on the dust jacket



Boltanski, Christian and Annette Messager
CONTES D'ETE
n.p.: Chateau de Rochechouart, 1990
17 x 12.4cm, 4pp announcement card for the joint exhibition with two images printed on thin paper (17 x 12cm, 1pp each) reproducing full colour works by the artist - Messager's is a drawing while Boltanski's is a photograph. Rather attractive. Fine.


Boltanski, (Christian)
RECONSTITUTION (BOX)
London/Eindhoven/Grenoble: Whitechapel Art gallery / van Abbemuseum/ musee de Grenoble, 1990-91
Exhibition catalogue and artist's multiple. 31,5 x 26 cm cardboard box containing a large number of re-editions of Boltanski's earliest works (sometimes offered elsewhere as first editions by ill informed or unscrupulous dealers) along with exhibition essays. Included are various books and tracts: Reconstitution, Interview par G. Marsh / Reconstitution de gestes effectues par C.B. entre 1948 et 1954 / 10 Portraits de C.B. 1946-1964 / Recherche et presentation de tout ce qui reste de mon enfance / Inventaire des objets ayant appartenu a une femme de Bois-Colombes / Saynetes comiques / Lettre de demande d'aide / Lettre aux conservateurs de musees... / Dispersion a l'amiable / C.B. a l'honneur de vous faire ses offres de services / C.B. a 5 ans 3 mois de distance / C.B. et ses freres /cartes postales/ poster "L'Ange d'Alliance". There are also three photographs of the exhibition. A near fine example.



ONE OF 200 SIGNED AND NUMBERED COPIES

Boltanski, Christian
FEU nr  4. (EL CASO)
Paris, Feu/Jean Daviot and Bernard Marcade, 1991,
A single number of this deluxe artists periodical which is a Boltanski printed multiple/bookwork.  71 x 50 cm unfolded size, 2pp folded to 8pp. Each number in this run of art newspapers contained an  original contribution by an artist  - here in nr 4 is Christian  Boltanski. Printed on velin d'Arches it is numbered and signed by the  artist from an edition of only 200. The content is a reproduced found  Spanish article relating to murders of girls and has similarities to  his El Caso bookwork. Scarce. folded as issued as a tabloid  newspaper. Image on request.



ONE OF 60 DELUXE COPIES WITH ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPH

Boltanski, Christian
LIVRES
Koln: Walther König, 1991
Clam-shell case with 28 reprints/overruns of Boltanski's best known artist book publications of various dates up to 1991 and one record. This copy however is one of only 60 copies containing an original photograph (signed and numbered by the artist) and is hence thus more than just a box of reprints. The box is also signed on the front. Fine contents in slightly rubbed box. Scarce.



ONE OF 100 DELUXE EDITIONS WITH A SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH

Boltanski, Christian
ARCHIVE OF THE CARNEGIE INTERNATIONAL 1896  - 1991
Pittsburgh: The Carnegie Museum of Art, 1991
18 x 12,5 cm, unpaginated. Card covers. Artist's book. A deluxe edition of this first edition of this artist's book which contains an original photograph of the title installation, signed and dated by Boltanski. The book itself lists each and every exhibitor in the history of the biennial exhibition along with their year(s) of participation. One of only 100 copies.  Ref: Boltanski Books  Nr 76. Very scarce. Fine.


ONE OF ONLY 50 SIGNED AND NUMBERED COPIES

Boltanski, Christian
LISTE DES SUISSE MORTS DANS LE CANTON DU VALAIS EN 1991
Lausanne: Musee cantonal des Beaux-Arts de Lausanne, 1993
20.5 x 13.4cm, unpaginated (approx 60pp). A typographic list of the Swiss dead from one canton - a return by Boltanski to his interest in death in a nation not used to public tragedy. This copy is one of 50 deluxe numbered and signed copies aside from the complete run of 350 unnumbered copies. Fine. Rare.



Boltanski, Christian
LE CLUB MICKEY
Uitgevers: Imschoot, 1991
21 x 15cm, 16pp. Card covers with dj. Second edition of this artist's book which was reprinted within the year as the original edition of 400 copies ran out quickly and a further 500 were published. Both editions are scarce. The book consists of clippings and full colour illustrations from the Disney TV show's kid's club. Fine.



Boltanski, Christian and others
DER GEFRORENE LEOPARD / THE FROZEN LEOPARD. 2 BDE. BD. I: KATALOG ZU EINER DREITEILIGEN AUSSTELLUNG MIT ARBEITEN 19 INTERNATIONALER KÜNSTLER. BD.II KATALOG ZUM PORTFOLIO. BASELITZ, KIRKEBY, PENCK, KOUNELLIS, R. HORN, BOLTANSKI U.A..
München. Galerie Klüser, 1992
Two volumes in printed slipcase. Uniformly 21.4 x 15cm, 132pp and 92pp respectively. Boards with white pictorial dustjackets in a white slipcase with the same printed design. Exhibition catalogue  displaying original prints by artists inspired by Hemingway's story of the mystery of the frozen leopard found on the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro in 1926 (The Snows of Kilimanjaro). Illustrated throughout in colours and b/w and with texts by artists in German and English. Commentary by Bernd Kluser. Fine in like slipcase although the white aspect of the covering has attracted a few marks. A wonderful publication.



ONE OF ONLY 25 SIGNED AND NUMBERED COPIES


Boltanski, Christian.
LES HABITANTS DE MALMO.
Kunsthall Malmo, 1993.
21.5 x 27cm. Approximately 1200pp. + 4pp. text/list intervening insert.
Printed wrappers. First issue of this inventive appropriation bookwork-multiple by the artist. Format is a local (Malmo) phone directory, which Boltanski has added to/updated via the inclusion of a list of (now) dead residents; thus negating and/or pointing out their current status. A fine example of this darkly humoured work. This copy is one of only 25 numbered and signed copies. Rare.



Boltanski, Christian
GYMNASIUM CHASES
NYC: Lawrence Miller, 1993
9.2 x 21,4cm, 1pp typographic announcement card. Fine.



Boltanksi, Christian
LES SUISSES MORT
Lausanne: Editions De L'aire, 1993
21 x 14cm, 106pp. Card covers. Artist's book with a list of those who died in the Swiss Canton of Valais in 1991. Boltaanski has noted his use of Swiss people for such purposes is because of their neutrality during wars and hence their (potential) lack of violence as a cause of death. One of 350 unnumbered copies. Fine.


(Boltanski, Christian)
Rainwater, Robert.
CHRISTIAN BOLTANSKI: BOOKS, PRINTS, PRINTED MATTER, EPHEMERA.
NY: NYPL, 1993.
Folding, diecut, 2 colour offset poster/brochure for an exhibition at the NYPL. Folded size: 30 x 21 cm - opens out to 60 x 42cm. Internally there is an illustration of "Inventory of Objects Belonging to a Young Woman of Charleston" 1991 and a fine, intelligent 3pp essay by Rainwater. Cover is an image from "Gymnasium Chases" of 1991. Now scarce. Fine.



Boltanski, Christian
SCHENKUNG CHRISTIAN BOLTANSKI: BILDER - OBJEKTE - DOKUMENTE AUS DEN SIEBZIGER JAHREN.
Koln: Walther Konig, 1993
18.2 x 13.5cm, 72pp. Card covers. Exhibition catalogue but in part artist's book as the ephemera, books and objects displayed and reproduced in the book in 123 b/w illustrations were selected by Boltanski from his own archives. The book also acts as a partial catalogue raisonne of Boltanski's lesser known documents including announcement cards and posters. Fine apart from remnant of former price sticker on back cover.


ONE OF 77 NUMBERED COPIES WITH ORIGINAL SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH

Boltanski, Christian
DIESE KINDER SUCHEN IHRE ELTERN
Munich: Gina Kehayoff Verlag, 1994
24 x 14,5 cm, 88pp. card covers. Artist's book. Facsimiles of portraits of orphans published by the Red Cross in Germany after the war in order to find them a family.  The artist writes in a foreword that " We also we seek our parents". This is one of ONLY 77 numbered and signed copies which has inserted an original photograph also signed by Botlanski aside from the trade edition of 2,000 unnumbered copies. Fine.



Boltanski, Christian
LOST
Dublin/Glasgow: CCA and Tramway, Glasgow, 1994
20.8 x 14.8cm, 4pp announcement card for the exhibition preview. Cover is a found glove and the back cover is a full sheet reproduction of a Boltanski portrait. Fine.


Boltanski, Christian
LOST
Dublin/Glasgow: CCA and Tramway, Glasgow, 1994
10 x 15 cm. embossed folio-folder with ribbon-tie, content of four texts (50pp. combined), each housed in individual varicoloured folder, a single glossy offset sheet of 64 photo-based b/w images (housed in varicoloured folder), two sets of 24 b/w photo-based card images (2 x 6 cm, respectively) and 4 b/w photo-postcards documenting the title installation (4 5/8 x 6 3/4cm., respectively) + contents sheet. First issue of this intriguing assemblage multiple by Boltanski, after a project which was exhibited in Dublin and Glasgow. A poignant and provocative work. All elements intact and in fine estate in like folio-folder. Scarce thus.



Boltanski, Christian
LOST PROPERTY/ DEAD SWISS/BOOKS.
Dublin/Glasgow: CCA and Tramway, Glasgow, Glasgow School of Art, 1994.
42 x 59 cm. offset black and green exhibition poster. Only 500 printed between the three exhibition sites in the UK and Ireland. Scarce thus. Fine.


(Boltanski, Eichhorn, Fischli/Weiss, Gilbert & George, Haacke, Kaprow, Kelley, Muhl, Richter, Spero and others)
CLOACA MAXIMA. Museum de Stadtentwasserung, Zurich.
Zurich: Cantz, 1994
25 x 17cm brown manila folder with printed label content of 282pp loose leaf pages including many full size b/w and colour plates. Most artists' contributions to this exhibition catalogue were an original contributions. In Boltanski's case this consists of 31 small b/w photographs printed on 4pp glossy stock as "Objets trouves dans les egouts de Zurich" 1994.  Richter's section is a 1pp reproduction of Klopapierrolle, 1966. Many are highly scatological as befitted the theme of the show. Internally mostly very good to fine with one page (the last one) showing a slight fold mark in a good, if bumped cover with some wear. Surprisingly scarce.


Boltanski, Christian
RESERVE DES ENFANTS DU DUISBURG INVENTAR DER DUISBURGER KINDER
Paris: Centre Pompidou, 1994
21 x 15 cm, 50pp plus grey card covers. Artist's book/exhibition catalogue. Photographs of toys owned by the town's children and a list of their names along with short essays in German. Fine.


Boltanski, Christian
CHRISTIAN BOLTANSKI
London: South Bank Show, 1994
14.8 x 10.2cm, 2pp announcement card for a forthcoming television programme about the artist shown on British commercial TV. Recto is the  Boltanski Le Blagueuer print, verso programme and production details. Fine.



Boltanski, Christian
CHRISTIAN BOLTANSKI
Obala, Art Centre Obala, 1994
17.8 x 12.8cm, 2pp announcement card. Recto is an image of a Boltanski shadow puppet work, verso gallery details. Fine.



(Boltanski, Christian)
Gumpert, Lynn
CHRISTIAN BOLTANSKI
Paris: Flammarion, 1994
26.5 x 26.5cm, 192pp plus boards and pictorial dj. First edition of this extensive monograph on the artist with interview and essay and many colour and b/w images. Fine.



Boltanski, Christian
LOST: NEW YORK PROJECTS
NYC: Public Art Fund 1995
17.7 x 12.6cm, 4pp announcement card for a four part public artwork by Boltanski - DISPERSION, LOST PROPERTY, INVENTORY & WHAT THEY REMEMBER. Cover is an image of a faux Lost Property office. Fine.



Boltanski, Christian
LES VACANCES À BERCK-PLAGE (AOÛT 1975).
Stuttgart: Octagon Verlag, 1995
17 x 13,5 cm, 36 pp "reliure" type photographic album. Facsimile of a holiday souvenir with tipped on appropriated colour photographs. One of a numbered edition of 500, signed by the artist. Fine.



Boltanski, Christian
THE WORK PEOPLE OF HALIFAX 1877
Halifax, UK: Henry Moore Sculpture Trust, 1995
28.5 x 24.5cm, 64pp. Board covers. Artist book listing all of the working people living in the town of Halifax in England during the year of 1877. Fine. Now hard to find.



Boltanski, Christian
LISTE DES ARTISTES AYANT PARTICIPE A LA BIENNALE DE VENISE 1895 - 1995
Halifax, UK: Henry Moore Sculpture Trust, 1995
27.7 x 24.5cm, 156pp. Card covers. Artist book listing all of the artists at the Biennale in alphabetic order. Fine. Now hard to find.


Boltanski, Christian
SACHLICH
Munich: Gina Kehayoff Verlag, 1995
26.6 x 21cm, unpaginated (approx 88pp). Original card covers. First edition of this artist's book with images of found objects (suggesting the items left behind after death) printed b/w and full sheet throughout. Limitation not known but now scarce.


Boltanski, Christian
CHRISTIAN BOLTANSKI
NYC: Marian Goodman, 1995
17.8 x 12.8cm, 1pp typographic announcement card. Fine.


Boltanski, Christian and others
DO IT
Glasgow: CCA, 1995
15 x 14.8cm, 2pp mostly typographic (albeit very colourful) announcement card for a group show curated by Hans Ulrich Obrist where each artist contributed an instruction for the work from a distance. Fine.


Boltanski, Christian
DISPERSAL
London: Serpentine Gallery, n.d. (1995)
46 x 40cm approx. Printed plastic bag as supplied by the artist to all attendees at the show - the Gallery was full of second-hand clothing and visitors were allowed to take away any individual item they wished. This bag is empty. Fine although with one fold for storage.


ONE OF ONLY 50 COPIES

Boltanski, Christian
LES CONCESSIONS
Paris: Yves Lambert, 1996,
30.6 x 41 cm grey cardboard archival box containing eight appropriated photographs each with a ghostly appearance. Signed and numbered from an edition of 50 copies. Fine.


Boltanski, Christian
FACES
n.p.: n.p., 1996
11 x 13.7cm, 1pp inkjet photographic print which displays a montage of faces from a found period photograph above the title and date. Signed on the reverse by Boltanski in ink. Perhaps an unique small work? Fine.



Boltanski, Christian.
ZEIT
München. Gina Kehayoff. 1996
21 x 14cm, 64pp. Cards. Artist's book displaying 31 pairs of portrait photos showing the effects of ageing - ie passing time. One of the portraits is of Boltanski, taken 5 years and 3 months apart. Now scarce. Fine.



Boltanski, Christian
STERBLICH
Munich: Gina Kehayoff Verlag, 1996
26.6 x 21cm, 44pp. Original card covers. First edition of this artist's book with images of corpses printed in very dark black and white tones on very thin (Bible) paper. Limitation not known but now scarce.



Boltanski, Christian
SUPPLEMENT TO SUDDEUTSCHE ZEITUNG (#46) EDITION CHRISTIAN BOLTANSKI
Germany: Suddeutsche Zeitung, 1997
32 x 21.5cm, 96pp, artist's book consisting of an offprint from the journal's magazine with a tipped on card label "Verloren in Muchen"- 36pp of the pages are dedicated to Boltanski's project and a short article relating to his work. This copy is in a folder (31 x 23cm closed size) manila folder. Each year the newspaper produces such an edition dedicated to a different artist. Fine condition in like folder - although the folder has a ex libris sticker on it inside "From the library of Anthony D'Offay" - the important UK art dealer and gallerist so this is hardly a flaw.


Boltanski, Christian
PASSIE/PASSION
Tilburg: De Pont, 1997
38 x 58cm unfolded. 4 sheets of double sided b/w posters folded to create a quasi - tabloid newspaper. The images are of greatly magnified staring eyes. Accusatory. In original (unposted) printed mailing band - as issued. Edition not known. Fine condition except for a slight nick on the mailing band.


Boltanski, Christian & Roubaud, Jacques
ENSEMBLES
Paris: 9 Fevrier, 1997
24 x 17 cm, unpaginated (over 144pp) Spiral bound. Pictorial card covers. Co-operative artist's book where Roubaud juggles texts from Boltanski's previous works and Boltanski himself creates a sub-section in the book where 35 b/w found portraits are cut into three parallel strips each showing respectively the areas around the eyes, nose and mouths and bound in such a way that the faces can be recreated in various different combinations. One of 3,000 copies. Fine.


Boltanski, Christian
KADDISH
Paris: Musee d'Art Moderne de la ville de Paris, 1998
27 x 22cm, 579pp in grey covers and original slipcase. Artist's book which displays over 500 found images of children's faces in blurred, b/w close up - and causes reflection on The Missing from the Holocaust. Fine.


Boltanski, Christian
OST / WEST
München: Gina Kehayoff Verlag, 1998
13.7 x 21cm, 56pp. Boards. First edition of this artist's book with 128 black and white reproductions of items found in (one is left to presume from different sides of the Wall) in Berlin. Scarce. Fine.

Boltanski, Christian
ELOKUUN YO, AUGUSTINATT.  NIGHT IN AUGUST. HELSINKI FESTIVAL 22.8 - 4.10 1998
Helsinki: Kunstehalle Helskinki, 1998
33.4 x 25.5cm, 86pp. Cloth covered boards. Exhibition catalogue and monograph with 43 reproductions of works and the installation mostly in colours, full and double page on glossy stock. Essays in English and Swedish. A scarce catalogue. Fine.


Boltanski, Christian
COMRA-VENTE
Valencia, Generalitat Valencia, 1998
Two volumes, uniformly 24.2 x 17.9 cm. Respectively 83pp and (unpaginated) ca. 100 pp. Original blue boards and grey card slipcase. Exhibition catalogue with texts in Spanish and English with photographs by Boltanski which document his 1998 installation at the Spanish Almudin Museum of Archaeology. Texts by Jose Miguel G. Cortes and others. Now scarce. Fine.


Boltanski, Christian
DERNI