FIRST EDITION OF DE KOONING’S BOOK, ‘DRAWINGS’, WITH A STUNNING ORIGINAL DRAWING
[De Kooning, Willem]. Thomas B. Hess. Willem De Kooning, Drawings. Greenwich, Ct.; Paul Bianchini / New York Graphic Society Ltd. , 1972. First Edition. Large Quarto, 294 pp., illustrated. A very good copy in publisher’s yellow cloth. In very good dust jacket. A stunning copy SIGNED and INSCRIBED by de Kooning in charcoal WITH AN ORIGINAL DRAWING; “to Fritz with love from Bill de Kooning.” The drawing is typical of his abstract style but gives a clear enough impression is a charging bull or perhaps a bucking horse.
While a limited edition of this same book, signed by De Kooning is obtainable, we have not been able to trace any trade editions with such a wonderful inscription. We are told that “Fritz” was fellow New York School artist, Fritz Bultman, who was a good friend of de Kooning’s.