SIGNS of the ZODIAC by Dali - 12 Color Lithographs (1969, Penn Prints)

SIGNS of the ZODIAC by Dali
12 Color Lithographs
1969, Penn Prints

Once in a blue moon a rare Dali collectible comes your way and you just have to have it.  This set of 12 color lithographs is one of those rare items.

The complete set consists of the porfolio, a page describing the characteristics of each zodiac sign, and 12 color lithographs on heavyweight paper.  The litho paper is sized 14" x 18" with an effective image area of about 11 15/16" x 16".

This set is extremely rare in a complete and fine condition.  I recently saw a complete set in decent condition (but with soiling around the edges) sell for about $360.  However, more recently I saw a near mint set on auction for nearly $500, and it did not sell.

Like many collectibles, demand plays a big part in the overall value.  While this set may be extremely rare, the current market seems to dictate an average value of about $450 for a complete set.   Mint condition sets would obviously command a premium.

This value is far below the rate suggested when smaller lots of individual prints from this set sell separately.  I have seen lots of two or three prints from this set sell for as high as $40-$50 per print, suggesting a complete set could sell for as much as $600.

The few owners of this set of lithographs across the internet clearly place a higher value on this set; prices range to well over $1000.  Indeed, I might only sell my set for about that much, considering how difficult it was to obtain such a fine and complete set.

Dali: a study of his life and work (1958)

Dali: a study of his life and work
New York Graphic Society, 1958.

This book can easily be one of the tallest and widest in your collection (it's 13.75" x 14.5" ).  The title is a bit ambitious, especially considering that at the time this book was printed, Dali still had more than 20 years left to his career.

In its time, this book likely served as an excellent introduction to Dali's early career and rise to international fame.  Though that story has been told in many other places since then, this book still holds some historical value.

The main text, written by A. Reynolds Morse, follows Dali's career through the exhibitions of his work.  In this organizing element, Morse records dates, places, galleries, and the main works on display. 

This information allows one to follow the public career of Dali through the workflow he produced and revealed to the world in stages.  Certainly, this chronology is valuable to any scholars seeking to trace the steps of the great master painter Dali.

A unique element of this book are the 17 tipped-in color plates, which are the exception rather than the rule, in Dali art books (a list of the plates is provided here).  The descriptive captions for the color plates were written by Dali.

Other than the color plates, this book is heavily illustrated with b&w reproductions, comprised mostly of paintings, with a short section of drawings and watercolors at the end of the book.

The book originally had a clear dust jacket with the title printed in red.  It is frequently missing from the book, so look for it if you are buying a copy. 

This book is relatively rare, but not necessarily in demand.  Average prices tend to be a little high for a book of this nature, around $35-$45, but at this price, nobody's buying. 

Personally, I don't think you should pay more than $25 with the dust jacket, but you may not find such a bargain.  Happy hunting!

homage to DALI (Amiel/Chartwell, 1980)

homage to DALI
Amiel/Chartwell, 1980

It may not be apparent to the average Dali collector that there are two versions of this book.

One version has an orange colored dust jacket decorated with The Dawn of Don Quixote (1952) over a sand colored hardcover (hereafter "ver. 1"). 

Another version has a blue colored dust jacket decorated with The Madonna of Port Lligat (1950) over a red colored hardcover (hereafter "ver. 2").

The content of each book is identical with one exception: both contain a unique Dali color lithograph. 

Ver. 1 contains a foldout color lithograph of The Battle of Tetouan (1962) between pages 72-73.  The Tetouan lithograph is of horrible quality, suffering from a grainy condition.  What a shame, this could be a fantastic lithograph.

Ver. 2 contains a full-page color lithograph of Gala's Christ (1978) immediately after the front free endpaper.  This Christ lithograph is of incredible quality.  It is so sharp, clear, and colorful that it almost pops off the page.  Bravo!

In my opinion, you might only want this book to harvest the stellar Christ lithograph.  My only complaint is that I would have preferred a different image for such a well-done reproduction.

As to the content of the book in general, it "contains insightful studies witten by ... knowledgeable writers."  Now, this may sound great, but most of these "studies" are filled with such cloying treacly that only a paragraph or two is enough to give you a severe case of diabetes.

Such obsequious pandering is far more than I can take.  I mean, I love Dali, but c'mon!  Reynolds Morse's fawning over Dali seems subtle compared to the essays in this book.

Anyway, the book is stuffed with many great photos and superb color reproductions, many of which are full-page.  You can't go wrong there.

There is a 1984 printing of this book, I am not sure if it has any lithograph, so beware.

Both 1980 versions of this book normally sell for about $20, although many people try to get $60-$100 for Ver. 2.  In my opinion, those people are insane and you should eschew paying that kind of money for this book.  I recently got a copy of Ver. 2 for under $20 in a lot with two other Dali books.

The (three) faces of Wine, Women and Words (illustrated by Salvador Dali)

Wine, Women and Words
by Billy Rose
(Simon and Schuster / Reinhardt & Evans - 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949)
illustrated by Salvador Dali.

This neat little book has 15 original full-page Dali illustrations and a full-page frontispiece, making it a good book for any Dali collector library.  In addition, there are numerous smaller illustrations throughout the book.

But, before you rush out to buy a copy, you should know that there are at least three different versions of this book in publication.

The most typical versions are the two American publications, a hardcover and a softcover, both of which are distinguished by a cover designed by Dali.  The third, and rarely seen, version is a UK hardcover printing which has a rather generic city scene on the dust jacket clearly not designed by Dali.

In comparing the two American versions, the softcover is a larger format, so the illustrations are a bit larger.  In particular, this illustration from the Iron Butterflies chapter is expanded to full-page in the softcover version.  This illustration doesn't even appear in the UK version.

The biggest differences occur between the American hardcover and the UK hardcover. 

Superficially, the dust jackets are different, and so are the actual covers.  The American cover has a gold illustration of a kneeling figure with a rose head, whereas the UK cover is just plain.

Inside the books are even greater differences.

First, the 15 main chapter illustrations of the UK version are all on a salmon-colored background whereas the American version utilizes a number of background colors including blue and yellow.

Second, the UK version has less bleed-through of print from the other side of the page, making the full-page chapter illustrations more ripe for removal and framing.

Third, the UK version is missing many of the smaller b&w illustrations throughout each chapter that are found in the American version.  This is especially evident in the chapter header illustrations, which are different for every chapter in the American version, but are just the generic kneeling figure with a rose head in the UK version.

Finally, one chapter illustration in both hardcover versions is colored in the UK version and not colored in the American version.  Of course, it is on the salmon-colored background like all the rest of the UK version's full-page illustrations.

All-in-all, I think that either of the two American versions is the better bet for the average Dali collector.  Both are readily available for fewer than $15.  When buying the hardcover version, make sure you get the cool dust jacket.

As for the UK version, I got mine by accident when I thought I was buying the American hardcover version.  I though it was unique, so I decided to keep it.  I have never seen another one of these in the years since I got mine.  Nevertheless, I doubt it is worth more than the American version, considering its several drawbacks.

For Sale: A Guide to Works by Salvador Dali in Public Museum Collections (1974).

For Sale:
A Guide to Works by Salvador Dali in Public Museum Collections (1974).

On the occasion of Dali's 70th birthday, the Morses published this guide. 

I think the title says it all.  It's fully-illustrated and has complete information on each work including date, size, and location.

Contains a frontispiece by Dali specifically for this publication.

This copy is in good condition with tight binding.  Has light discoloration on cover and some moisture staining on ends of pages.  None of the illustrations or content is affected and the book still presents well.  See pictures.

Has been my library copy for years until I recently upgraded.  Now passing it along to you.

CLICK BELOW to Buy Today: $22.00 USD, includes shipping within the US; email for cost to ship to international locations.

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