Spade and Archer

And so this is a follow-up to my previous post, regarding books that fall apart in your hands as you are reading them.  This one was a hard back, green cover, and had 5 Hammett novels.  You have perhaps seen this edition in used bookstores or, you know, it's on your shelf.  From 1945 or so I think.  Anyway, this one fell apart about three years ago and I saved some of the pieces.  The title page I framed and sent to my friend Steve Goldstein in Queens, New York, as he is a big fan and thought he would appreciate.  He put it up in his office in Manhattan and now, sheltered in place, he and the title page are separated by the East River, and likely I think there are tears in both boroughs.  But it was the first page of "Falcon" I wanted for myself, and finally framed it two nights ago.

IBL:mm

A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man

Sometimes you own a book so long, and it was used and old when you bought it in the first place, and while you are reading it, it just falls apart in your hands.  That happened to my copy of "Portrait" maybe five years ago.  I decided to take the title page and frame it, and it hangs on the wall above my computer where I look at it every day.  The back cover and front cover I turned into postcards and LIKELY sent to Rashid Robinson though the U.S. Mail, because I do this book cover mail thing with him.  And that's it, only to say this is a lead in to the next blog entry, so hope to see you there soon.

IBL:mm

"The Nine Salutations to Saint Michael (Condensed)"

Pencil, crayon, lipstick, charred wood, glue, and torn strips from religious tract on torn cardboard, 8 x  5.25 inches, Sunday, April 5th, 2020, Cathedral Hill, San Francisco.

IBL:mm

"Tocayo" (Intended for Michael Fox)

A two-sided piece - first the front:

And, then, the back:

Pen on torn page from religious tract, 5 7/8 x  3.75 inches, Sunday, April 5th, 2020, Cathedral Hill, San Francisco.

IBL:mm

"Amy (sic) What You Wanna Do?"

Torn - escort ad, Ikea instructions, R Bar receipt (SAN FRANCISCO, RESPECT!) and Gagosian program, then cellophane taped to a 1997 photograph taken in Fort Bragg, CA.  4 x 6 inches, Sunday, March 22nd, 2020, Cathedral Hill, San Francisco.

Gift to Michael Fox, Beacon, New York.



IBL:mm

"I Died For Your Sins Motherfucker and Don't You Forget It"

An original IBL photograph taken Sunday, March 15th, 2020, Cathedral Hill, San Francisco.

IBL:mm

"Peep Show"

An original IBL photograph taken Sunday, March 15th, 2020, Cathedral Hill, San Francisco.

IBL:mm