LOS ANGELES BARRIO CALLIGRAPHY

(Los Angeles): Dawson's Book Shop, 1976. First printing. Near fine.. Inscribed first edition of arguably the first serious scholarly study of contemporary graffiti. Sally and Jerry Romotsky's BARRIO CALLIGRAPHY examines the Los Angeles incarnations of Chicano and Chicana plaqueasos or placas. Gathered primarily through fieldwork and interviews, the book documents the alphabets, styles, designs, and methods (including how to decipher messages and markings) particular to the region and placing it among cultural traditions dating back to the 1930s. Part of the Los Angeles Miscellany series from Dawson's Book Shop (which also included among other titles THE ART OF STREET LIGHTING IN LOS ANGELES and MANHOLE COVERS OF LOS ANGELES), it is decidedly scarce - one of just 300 copies. While we've previously handled a couple of other examples, this is the first signed copy we've encountered. A founding document of modern graffiti. 9.5'' x 6''. Original quarter black cloth over photographic salmon-colored boards. No jacket, as issued. 80 pages. Inscribed by the authors on the front free endpaper: "To Bill / with love / Jerry and Sally / Romotsky." Loosely laid in are a press release and promotional flyer for a 1983 exhibition of Jerry Romotsky's paintings (where the book was likely signed), as well as eight color slides of Romotsky's graffiti-influenced works from that show. Minor soil to front cover, touches of shelfwear. Overall sound.