A holy grail for many.

Twentysix Gasoline Stations was initially self-published in 1963 and is often considered to be the first modern artists book. And, it is Ruscha’s first book in his infamous series of artists books. In retrospect, this book was seismic.

As the title states, the book presents 26 deadpan photos of gasoline stations along route 66. Notably, the gasoline stations are not presented in sequential order.

With this book, Ruscha anticipates pop art, minimalism, conceptual art; while moving against the trend of highly-stylized images of the American landscape that were popular at the time.

This is the third edition, limited to just 3000 copies.

Thin glassine wrapper shows some minor yellowing along the edges and a tear at the upper-left corner. Book itself is bright and clean.

An excellent copy of a monumental and rare title.