The Manhattan Telephone Book, 1972
Somerville, MA: Abyss Publications, 1975. First edition of 250, this being no. 45. 8vo in softcover wrappers offset printed in black and white. Unpaginated. Signed and dated by the artist ‘Bern Porter 8/90’ on copyright page.
Here, Porter assembles his own telephone book using typographic fragments from newspapers and magazine advertisements. The sequencing of these found poems, alphabetized from A – Z, tell a larger narrative of the human need for connection as it relates to technology. This despite the fact that Porter never owned a telephone himself. Poignant still today given the role of mobile phones in society. A great primer to Porter, his thought process, and genius.
Very good with offset rubbing to front and back covers, bumps to corners, a faint half-inch tidemark to top of front cover extending onto text block, and light wear to spine including reading creases. Item #112
Out of stock