Andy Warhol (Dedicated to Nico)

Antwerp, Belgium: Gallery Ronny Van de Velde, 1989. Near Fine. A magnificent --and very uncommon-- portfolio of original photographic prints by Nat Finkelstein (1933-2009), one of the great chroniclers of Andy Warhol, specifically his mid to late 60s period at The Factory. Gallery Ronny Van de Velde of Antwerp produced and published this lavish tribute to Warhol in 1989 in a tiny edition of 50 copies (this being #31). Included in the complete portfolio are: "nine black/white photographs (30 cm x 40 cm)"; "one black/white photograph (15 cm x 22 cm)"; "one repetition of ten photographs on linen (80 cm x 160 cm)"; "one photo screened canvas (27 cm x 27 cm)"; and "one eight minute video cassette". "Each image is signed, stamped, and numbered (31/50) by the artist" and each is mounted to a light-gray cardboard backing, with dark, thin-cardboard guards (which have done their job well and kept each of the prints in pristine condition). The entire portfolio is contained within a marbled, pictorial metal box, with a thin layer of the publisher's light-blue plastic covering the top of the box (which features one of Finkelstein's iconic portraits of Warhol). The blue plastic shows very light bubbling along the center and mild fraying at the upper corners. Otherwise, the box is in all-but-immaculate condition. (In addition, a dense, matching sheet of marbled metal --constituting the title/limitation pages-- is included in the portfolio). One imagines, of the 50 copies issued (in addition to the 5 "Artist's Proof" portfolios, the 5 "Hors Commerce" portfolios and the 5 "Publisher's Proof" portfolios), that very few have survived intact, given the number of prints that have SEPARATELY come onto the market over the years AND the strong urge among the owners of the portfolio to frame the most compelling images. A scarce, desirable Warhol item, especially complete as such.