Andy Warhol. Seven Illustrated Books 19521959 [Hardcover]

In 1950s New York, before he became one of the most famous names of the 20th century,Andy Warholwas alreadya skilled and successful commercial artist. During this time, as part of his strategy to woo clients and forge friendships, he created sevenhandmade artists books, reserved to his most valued contacts. These featured personal, unique drawings and quirky texts revealing his fondness foramong other subjectscats, food, myths, shoes, beautiful boys, and gorgeous girls.

Decades later, withoriginals now changing hands for thousands of dollars at auction, TASCHEN presents anXL-sized volume containing meticulous reprints of these seven books. With titles such asLove Is a Pink Cake,25 Cats Named Sam, and? la Recherche du Shoe Perdu, the series reveals the artistsoff-the-wall characteras well as hisaccomplished draftsmanship, boundless creativity, and innuendo-laced humor.

This book makesdelightful play with styles and genres, includingA Is for Alphabet, which devotes a page to each letter of the alphabet, with illustrations complemented by stumbling three-line verses that tell of strange encounters between man and animal.In the Bottom of My Gardenis at once a Warhol twist on a childrens book and a covert celebration of gay love.Wild Raspberries, meanwhile, is a spoof cookbook with a cornucopia of adventurous recipes and illustrations.

This volume also includes introductions for each of Warhols illustrations. Complete withrarely seen photographs of the artist, inspirational ephemera, and commercial assignments, they contextualize Warhols 1950s art, offering a glimpse into his early creative process as well as his endearing, playful character.

Little-known, much-coveted jewels in the Warhol crown, tl3#