Self-published, 1973. No. 7 in an edition of 20. Signed, dated, and numbered on the interior rear board. Plastic spiral spine, plain off-white boards. 7 x 7 in. Prints interleaved with vellum; one leaf of text at front containing a dictionary definition of "number" and a brief artist's statement. Some minor damage to the plastic comb, else fine in lightly rubbed boards. A self-published artist's book of vibrant silk-screen prints, issued in an edition of just twenty copies. Ten images of everyday objects containing numbers, arranged sequentially from one to ten, with each image composed of a unique two-, three- or four-color combination. A lovely production, whose decidedly Pop sensibilities are elevated by careful composition and a tightly registered technical execution. Our efforts to turn up any concrete information about Messinger have proved largely fruitless, though glancing references suggest he was active in the Los Angeles art scene of the 1970s, 80s and beyond. This copy comes from the collection of late California artist Sabato Fiorello (d. 2017), with his ownership mark blind-embossed on the front leaf.
