ROSENBERG • DEFINING THE MODERN CRITIC’S GIFT, PUBLISHER’S ARCHIVE

Rosenberg, Harold (1906–1978)

The De-Definition of Art [Inscribed to Ben Raeburn] [Publisher Association] [Archive]

New York: Horizon Press, 1972. First Edition, First Printing.
A unique association copy of Rosenberg’s major survey of postwar art, inscribed with intimate warmth to his publisher Ben Raeburn and transformed into a working editorial archive. 

The inscription, 'For Ben in closeness / Harold', is augmented by Raeburn’s characteristic practice of tipping in contemporary reviews and scholarly clippings at the rear.

Physical Features: Original publisher's cloth; bindings are tight and square; Illustrated with 54 black-and-white plates documenting postwar artistic movements. Octavo 9.5 inches; [1-11] 226 with index. First Edition, First Printing.

CONTENT: Critical essays on the intellectual and cultural evolution of modern art, discussing figures like Dubuffet, Lichtenstein, and Oldenburg. 
+++ Provenance: From the estate of Ben Raeburn (1914–1997); features Raeburn’s internal archive of contemporary reviews tipped-in at the rear.

CONDITION: 
+++ THE BOOK: The book is in Near Fine condition. The bindings are tight and square, with only moderate shelf handling wear to the cloth. The internal pages are clean and free of markings, showing only light, even age-toning consistent with 1970s paper stock.
+++ DUST JACKET: The dust jacket is in Very Good condition. It is price-clipped and features one early internal tape repair for stabilization. The panels remain vibrant with minimal surface rubbing. The jacket is now preserved in a new, clear Mylar archival protective sleeve.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE --
Harold Rosenberg was arguably the most influential American art critic of the 20th century, alongside Clement Greenberg. By the time 'The De-Definition of Art' was published in 1972, Rosenberg was the voice of 'The New Yorker', and his theories on Action Painting had already redefined how the world viewed the creative process.

This specific volume serves as a live documentary record of Ben Raeburn’s editorial methodology. It was Raeburn’s habit to transform personal copies into working archives, and this specimen contains contemporary reviews and scholarly clippings tipped-in at the rear. This practice provides a direct link to the publisher's engagement with the critical reception of Rosenberg’s work, making it a vital artifact of mid-century intellectual history.

As postwar art splintered into Pop, Conceptualism, and Earthworks, Rosenberg remained the anchor for its interpretation. Owning the copy he gave to the man who helped him speak to the world is to own a piece of the very machinery that built the history of modern art.

SCHOLARLY FEATURES
+++ Contextual Analysis: A primary document of the 'New York Intellectual' era, illustrating the personal network behind the publication of major American art theory.
+++ Theoretical Impact: Captures Rosenberg's evolving definition of art as an 'intellectual act' rather than a static aesthetic object.
+++ Publishing History: Serves as a primary specimen of Horizon Press's high-tier production standards, uniquely preserved as a 'working copy' from the publisher’s office. The inclusion of tipped-in archival reviews at the terminal leaves provides a direct window into Raeburn’s method of tracking a title’s critical impact and intellectual legacy.

SUBJECTS: Art criticism, modern art, twentieth-century art history, American intellectual history, Abstract Expressionism, Pop Art, Horizon Press, Association Copies, Signed / Inscribed Books, Modern First Editions, Publishewr's Archive.

Item #21955
ISBN: 0818001186

Price: $425.00