Complete Crumb Comics Entire Set of 17 Signed Hardcovers Robert R Fantagraphics

Description: Love him or hate him, Robert Crumb (aka R Crumb) is acclaimed worldwide as an important American cartoonist. From 1987 to 2005, Fantagraphics published a comprehensive series of 17 R Crumb books, intending to reproduce the entire body of Crumb’s work from his earliest days to 1992 in chronological order. After ’92, Crumb’s works were to be collected in individually titled collections, and not be part of this series. It was one of the first attempts to collect a comic artist’s complete works. The series triggered a rexamination and reassessment of Crumb’s work, winning several awards in the process. There are a few omissions of Crumb material. For instance, Crumb's ex-wife Dana owns the copyright to The Yum Yum Book, so it was not included, although it is in print and easily found. This series is the most complete and best reproduction of his narrative work (his non-narrative sketchbooks have been reproduced many times by several publishers). At the time the series began, the signed and numbered hardcovers seemed to be an afterthought. Although understandably higher priced, Volume 1 did not include a tipped-in signature plate like all future editions, Instead, the front endpapers are stamped with a number and Crumb signed directly on the book. The price printed on the books themselves were the same as the unsigned hardcovers, so it was up to comic shops to check for a signature and price accordingly. As the series progressed, the signed tipped-in plate replaced the crude number stamp. This may have been neceassary as Crumb had moved to France in 1991, and shipping completed books to him for signature was impractical from a logistical standpoint. With Volume 6 Fantagraphics added annotation on the back cover that the addressed the signed edition. Later, the company added a second bar code, one for the regular hardcover and another for the standard hardcover. At least 2000 copies of the signed and numbered first volume were produced (we have seen a copy numbered in the mid 1900’s). The number of signed editions quickly declined (yet sometimes increased!) throughout the series. Ultimately, as interest waned (most likely due to the nearly 20 years it took to wrap the series) the signed and numbered final volume was an edition of a mere 200 copies. The importance of that last number is that there will only ever be 200 complete signed and numbered hardcover sets. This is a set of all seventeen signed and numbered hardcover books in the series, although one is blank where the number tyicaly is and two books are designated as A/P (“artist proofs”), and therefore not numbered. Rest assured, all books signed, and are original. Artist Proof’s are usually sample copies, typically sent to the publisher and / or the artist as early proofs to show what the final product will look like, allowing for comment. As I acquired some of these books from former Fantagraphics employees, I assume they were copies sent to Fantagraphics, not Crumb himself, but who knows? The books are in great shape, with very light wear typical of carefully stored items of this type and vintage, as shown in the photos. Any other details are described below as best I can. Vol 1: The Early Years of Bitter Struggle Stamped, #409 - no edition number mentioned Vol 2: Some More Early Years of Bitter Struggle #489/600 - signed plate doesn’t appear to have ever been glued in, as later volumes were Vol 3: Starring Fritz The Cat #259/400 Vol 4: Mr. Sixties! #155/600 Vol 5: Happy Hippy Comix #134/600 Vol 6: On the Crest of a Wave #392/600 First volume to acknowledge a signed edition Vol 7: Hot 'n’ Heavy #20/400 Vol 8: Featuring the Death of Fritz the Cat #219/400 Vol 9: R. Crumb versus the Sisterhood #367/400 Vol 10: Crumb Advocates Violent Overthrow #NO NUMBER/400 - while later Artist Proofs noted they were A/Ps by writing “a/P” in place of a number, this plate has no number (although it is signed). Unclear if this was an A/P edition or the result of human error Vol 11: MR. NATURAL COMMITTED TO A MENTAL INSTITUTION!!! #159/400 Vol 12: We're Livin' in the "Lap o' Luxury”! #142/400 Vol 13: The Season of the Snoid #127/300 Vol 14: The Early 1980s and Weirdo Magazine #149/250 Vol 15: Featuring Mode O'Day and her Pals #AP/300 Vol 16: The Mid-1980s: More Years of Valiant Struggle #AP/300 Vol 17: Cave Wimp, Mode O'Day, Aline 'N' Bob, R. Crumb Goes to the Academy Awards #116/200 As of this writing, Mr. Crumb is 80 years old. His blog hasn’t been updated since 2022. His website hasn’t added new signed products since 2022. These books have been out of print in any format for nearly a decade. His wife and son have sadly both passed away. He hasn’t been producing much new work and little of it is being published. The signed versions of these books were only offered at the time of initial release, alongside standard hardcover and softcover editions. Another publisher may attempt to publish another comprehensive series of Crumb’s work in the future, but considering the controversial nature of the material, it is quite possible no contemporary publisher would risk the backlash. Even if a company was willing to take the project on, it is highly unlikely each - or any - volume would be signed by Crumb. What we’re saying here is that this series of Crumb books is difficult to assemble; that much of the material may never see print again; and that signed editions are very very rare. While Crumb has offended many, he’s undoubtably a talented and important artist, one whose work will be collected by serious aficionados of the comics form for decades to come. Please keep in mind that these books are heavy and expensive. 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Price: 3599.99 USD

Location: Salem, Massachusetts

End Time: 2024-11-09T15:51:31.000Z

Shipping Cost: 61.38 USD