FILE MAGAZINE (17 NUMBERS INCL 1)

Toronto: General Idea, 1972 - 1983 16 issues including the ultra rare first ever issue.
Here we offer an incomplete if extensive run of this important artist's journal which was founded by General Idea. The numbers here include
Vol 1 Nr 1, Vol 1, Nr 4, Vol 2 Nrs 3, 4, 5 and Vols 3-3 to Vol 5 - 4 and the numbers 28 and the final issue 29. File was General Idea's art periodical counterpoint to the USA's LIFE magazine and the earlier numbers parodied the covers of that better known publication. Content is a mixture of conceptual, mail and intermedia art including the GI's own work - often with a homoerotic element. Ray Johnson was a frequent contributor here and Issue 1 famously has Mr Peanut on the cover and there is a full page b/w portrait of Johnson on page 3 of the Vol1 Nr 4 issue. The first two numbers offered here are very rare indeed (nr 1 is particularly rare) but are NOT in good condition - the wrappers are torn apart and detached and one has a pencil cross hatching on the masthead (1/4) and there is wear and tear to both sides of the covers including some paper lacks but all pages are present and internally while browned (cheap newsprint) they are still stapled together. Sadly the Vol 2 Nr 5 issue offered here has the front cover entirely missing (the back cover is present but detached) but is internally complete if the newsprint browned - and lists the "1974 - 1984 Annual Artist's Directory and Image Bank Image Request Lists". All the other issues are very good - although they do show shelf wear and some wear down the spines (and Nr 2/3 has some tears around the staples but the cover is still attached and 5/4 has a few ink marks on the front cover which do not really detract>. Over all a substantial and scarce part run of this influential artist publication. Notable amongst the run is the General Idea number (5/4) which has a content entirely of three day-glo stylised poodles in various adventurous and flexible sexual positions and can be regarded in itself as an artist's book.

Our illustration here shows the heavily damaged Nr 1/1 copy - we can offer images of the other numbers on request if required.

The price is for the entire group of 17 numbers and is calculated as a balancing act between rarity and condition (14 numbers being VG and 3 numbers only poor at best).