Andy Warhol
n.p., n.d.
Andy Warhol Boldly Signed Presentation Copy, "Andy Warhol: Portraits of the 70s"
Signed 1st Ed.

A first edition softcover copy of ed. David Whitney, "Andy Warhol: Portraits of the 70s" (New York: Random House in association with the Whitney Museum of American Art, 1979), boldly signed and inscribed by pop artist Andy Warhol (1928-1987) as "to alice mason / love / Andy" in black felt tip pen on the half title page. Warhol's signature alone measures approximately 4.25" x 2.625," which includes his dramatic "y" underline signature. Stated first edition on the copyright page. The original retail price of $8.95 is listed on the back cover. Expected light surface wear including scuffs to the covers, and traces of partially dried out adhesive along the hinges of the front and back covers. Minor ink bleed-through from Warhol's heavy-handed signature onto both pages of the full title page. Else near fine and clean within. 141pp. 8.5" x 9" x .5." From the collection of Alice Mason.

This book was published in conjunction with the Warhol exhibition of the same name, held at the Whitney Museum of American Art from November 20, 1979 - January 27, 1980. The exhibit featured double portraits of 56 international celebrities including Golda Meir, Truman Capote, Liza Minnelli, Diane von Furstenberg, Dennis Hopper, Jamie Wyeth, Mick Jagger, Yves St. Laurent, Roy Lichtenstein, and over 40 other subjects. The majority of the portraits were based on photographs that Warhol took and then manipulated using silk-screening and over-painting; the resulting portraits in hallucinogenic colors were visually striking and even unsettling. The book includes an essay by Robert Rosenblum introducing the exhibit, "Andy Warhol: Court Painter to the 70s," and features over 100 pages of full page double spread color plates.

Andy Warhol wrote in his diary that he attended one of Alice Mason's monthly black-tie dinner parties in her Upper East side apartment on December 19, 1979. Warhol wrote: "Bob? really wanted to go to the Alice Mason dinner, so he picked me up and we walked to 72nd and Lexington. I was next to Norris Church Mailer?" [as published in Pat Hackett, "The Andy Warhol Diaries" (New York: Warner Books, 1989)]. Warhol's exhibit at the Whitney was ongoing in mid-December 1979, thus a strong possibility that Warhol signed and dedicated this book to Alice Mason on that very evening.

Warhol revolutionized American art with his controversial artistic commentary on commercialism and consumerism. One of his most iconic images treated the Campbell's Soup can, a ubiquitous consumer product of postwar America. Warhol used the Campbell's Soup can series and other series to advocate that art should be produced in mass quantities and consumed in volume.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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8.5" x 9" x .5"
From the collection of Alice Mason (1924-2024), a well-known New York City realtor, political influencer, and society hostess who entertained Warhol on at least one occasion, and who frequently socialized with his friends and contemporaries.