CRACKERS

(Hollywood, CA): (Heavy Industry Publications), 1969. First printing. Near fine in near fine jacket.. Signed first edition of Ruscha's photo-novel, illustrating a 1967 short story by Mason Williams, "How To Derive The Maximum Enjoyment From Crackers." Printed in full on the rear dust jacket flap, Williams's directions for a semi-surrealist sexual humiliation comedy are faithfully acted out by Larry Bell, Leon Bing, Rudi Gernreich, and Tommy Smothers, and photographed by Ken Price, Joe Goode, and Ruscha. Ruscha would use the same source material and the same cast for his 1971 short film, "Premium," explaining: "See, it was a movie best of all, but first (truncated) it was a book. It was a book that was a movie fallen short." Scarce signed. 8.75'' x 6''. Original chipboard wrappers. In original red and white printed dust jacket. [240] pages. Black and white photographic illustrations. Signed by Ruscha on front free endpaper. PROVENANCE: From the collection of longtime MIT Press editor Roger Conover, who published several books by and about Ruscha. Light edgewear and touches of chipping to jacket. Else clean and bright. (Inventory #: 49905)