ASSEMBLAGE, ENVIRONMENTS & HAPPENINGS

New York: Abrams, 1966. Very good.. Inscribed first edition of this founding document of performance and environmental art - the first such work by a major publisher, Abrams. A founding document of performance and environmental art, and the first by a major publisher, Kaprow's ASSEMBLAGE, ENVIRONMENTS & HAPPENINGS was originally planned as an official Fluxus publication (see CODEX p. 288), but eventually evolved into this broader book. Artists covered include Robert Rauschenberg, Claes Oldenburg, Red Grooms, and George Segal, with contributions from Wolf Vostell, George Brecht, Kaprow and others. The recipient is almost certainly photojournalist Paul Berg, whose photos are included in this volume and fall roughly where Kaprow suggests they should (though there is no such plate 164). Berg photographed and covered Kaprow's happening "Push and Pull" for the ST. LOUIS POST DISPATCH in 1963. The uncommon hardcover issue of this important resource, it is scarce signed, especially with any kind of association. 12'' x 12''. Original brown burlap covered boards. Lacking original clear vinyl jacket. Black endpapers. 341, [3] pages. Inscribed by Kaprow to early preliminary: "For Paul on / his birthday - / A nostalgic / time in which / you played a / part (see pl. / 164 somewhere / deep inside!) / - in friendship / Allan K." Sunning to lower edges, spine faded. Else clean and sound throughout.