Jack Smith Sold at Auction Prices

SMITH, Jack (1932 - 1989) THE BEAUTIFUL BOOK

SMITH, Jack (1932 - 1989) THE BEAUTIFUL BOOK SMITH, Jack (1932 - 1989) THE BEAUTIFUL BOOK, from an edition of 12, 8pp. folded black card, with eight affixed photographs (silver / bromide prints) taken on the set of ‘Flaming Creatures’, photographs in their own right (neither stills nor production shots), 55 x 55 mm, within loose leaf, wove rag card wrappers with original 'bled' 4 colour woodcut all-over decoration and typography by Marian Zazeela, overall dimensions of wrappers (folded): 188 x 225mm, very good condition, by the Artist, New York, 1963. “Jack Smith is an anarchist, and his films break all the rules of film art. They go too far, and they do it on purpose. They are too scratchy, too nervous, too vulgar, and at times, too beautiful. Thus his Flaming Creatures has become the only underground film banned in the State of New York. And when taken to Europe for the Third International Experimental Film Competition, it was replaced on the program with a note saying, 'the selection jury recognized the aesthetical and experimental qualities of the film Flaming Creatures by Jack Smith (U.S.A. 1963), but had to ascertain unanimously that the showing of it was impossible in regard to Belgian laws.' [...] In giving Smith the Independent Film Award, Jonas Mekas wrote: ‘He has attained for the first time in motion pictures a high level of art which is absolutely lacking in decorum; and a treatment of sex which makes us all aware of the restraint of all previous film-makers." [Renan, ‘An Introduction to the American Underground Film’, pp. 181, 183] ***The twelve copies extant were distributed amongst friends. Originally, a larger edition had been planned, but this became impractical with the onslaught of legal battles.

JACK SMITH (1932-1989) A sheet with two composites of four images each from The Beautiful Book, including an image of Smith himself.

JACK SMITH (1932-1989) A sheet with two composites of four images each from The Beautiful Book, including an image of Smith himself. Silver print, the overall sheet measuring 247.6x127 mm; 9 3/4x5 inches square. Circa 1962.

JACK SMITH (1932-1989) A composite of four images from The Beautiful Book.

JACK SMITH (1932-1989) A composite of four images from The Beautiful Book. Silver print, the overall image measuring 4 1/2 inches (11.4 cm.) square. Circa 1962

JACK SMITH (1932-1989) Impacted Croissants of Outer Space.

JACK SMITH (1932-1989) Impacted Croissants of Outer Space. Mixed media collage. 355x215 mm; 14x8 1/2 inches. 1983. Provenance: Jonas Mekas, New York; private collection, New York. Exhibited "Jack Smith: Wait For Me at the Bottom of the Pool", Boo-Hooray, New York, February 15 - March 1, 2013.

JACK SMITH (1932-1989) Two drawings.

JACK SMITH (1932-1989) Two drawings. Lobster Moon, ballpoint pen and ink on paper. 128x340 mm; 5x13 3/8 inches. Circa 1970 * Portrait of Jonas Mekas, felt-tip pen and ink on Village Voice newsprint. 403x296 mm; 15 7/8x11 5/8 inches. Circa 1973. Provenance: Jonas Mekas, New York; private collection, New York. Exhibited"Jack Smith: Wait For Me at the Bottom of the Pool", Boo-Hooray, New York, February 15 - March 1, 2013.

JACK SMITH (1932-1989) Untitled (horsehead nebula).

JACK SMITH (1932-1989) Untitled (horsehead nebula). Photocollaged silver prints (3) with a small blue star sticker, overall the images measuring approximately 292.1x222.3 mm; 11 1/2x8 3/4 inches, 2 with hand-drawn illustrations, in ink, on recto, and one with a Horsehead Nebula hand stamp, on verso. Circa 1970s. Provenance: Jonas Mekas, New York; private collection, New York. "Jack Smith: Wait For Me at the Bottom of the Pool," Boo-Hooray, New York, February 15 - March 1, 2013.

JACK SMITH (1932-1989) How Can Uncle Fishhook Have a Free Bicentennial Zombie Underground? / Boiled Lobster Color Slideshow by Jack Smi

JACK SMITH (1932-1989) How Can Uncle Fishhook Have a Free Bicentennial Zombie Underground? / Boiled Lobster Color Slideshow by Jack Smith. Offset lithographed poster, 435x570 mm, 17 1/4x22 1/2 inches. 1976. This performance was a metaphor of how Smith felt he had been treated by Joans Mekas (who he nicknamed "Uncle Fishhook"), who he faulted for taking advantage of the accalim Smith achieved with his most famous film Flaming Creatures, in 1963.

JACK SMITH (1932-1989) Untitled.

JACK SMITH (1932-1989) Untitled. Mixed media collage. 227x170 mm; 9x6 3/4 inches. Circa 1970. Provenance: Jonas Mekas, New York; private collection, New York. Exhibited"Jack Smith: Wait For Me at the Bottom of the Pool", Boo-Hooray, New York, February 15 - March 1, 2013.

JACK SMITH (1932-1989) Roach Farts of Shark Stampede.

JACK SMITH (1932-1989) Roach Farts of Shark Stampede. Mixed media collage with one photocopy and two silver prints, the overall object measuring 342.9x279.4 mm; 13 1/2x11 inches, with Smith's title, in ink, on recto, and one silver print with a typed legal caption, on mount verso. Circa 1969. Jack Smith's mysterious and experimental style often manifested in the use of seemingly unrelated found objects and humorous, creative language. At times Smith created mock covers for novels, which gives a possible explanation for the collage. This work includes a silver print ripped out of a legal brief from the lawsuit New York State vs. Ruben Ortiz (1969). The briefing details a first-degree murder trial that found Ruben Ortiz guilty of stabbing to death an elderly man named Alexander Helmer during a petty robbery in 1964. Provenance: Jonas Mekas, New York; private collection, New York. "Jack Smith: Wait For Me at the Bottom of the Pool,", Boo-Hooray, New York, February 15 - March 1, 2013.

JACK SMITH (1932-1989) Two drawings.

JACK SMITH (1932-1989) Two drawings. Business Card Mockup, felt-tip pen and ink and correction fluid on paper. 217x278 mm; 8 1/2x11 inches * The Big Hotel: Flyer Mockup, felt-tip pen and purple ink on flyer. 280x215 mm; 11x8 1/2 inches. 1967. Provenance: Jonas Mekas, New York; private collection, New York. Exhibited"Jack Smith: Wait For Me at the Bottom of the Pool", Boo-Hooray, New York, February 15 - March 1, 2013.

JACK SMITH (1932-1989) Group of 5 flyers for Smith film screenings and events.

JACK SMITH (1932-1989) Group of 5 flyers for Smith film screenings and events. 5 items, 14x8 1/2 inches, 35.5x22 cm. and smaller; condition strong. New York, 1963-89.

JACK SMITH (1932-1989) Mario Montez and Piero Heliczer.

JACK SMITH (1932-1989) Mario Montez and Piero Heliczer. Silver print, the image measuring 10x10 1/2 inches, 25.4x26.7 cm., with Smith's inscription "for Ira and Rosiland [sic] with love from Jack," in ink, on verso. Circa 1962.

JACK SMITH (1932-1989) Suite of 12 stills from Jack Smith's experimental film entitled Flaming Creatures.

JACK SMITH (1932-1989) Suite of 12 stills from Jack Smith's experimental film entitled Flaming Creatures. Silver prints, the images measuring 4 1/2x6 inches, 11.4x15.2 cm., the sheets slightly larger, one with Smith's credit, the movie information, and the Film-Makers Cooperative credit and address, in ink, on verso. 1963.

JACK SMITH (1932-1989) The Beautiful Book.

JACK SMITH (1932-1989) The Beautiful Book. With 19 original photographs of Warhol superstars Francis Francine and Mario Montez in addition to Smith and other avant-garde performers; the final print is a portrait of Smith (who is dressed in a jacket and tie) by Ken Jacobs. Silver prints, the images measuring 2 1/4 inches, 5.7 cm. square. 4to, original stiff wrappers with the rare variant yellow silkscreen and lettering cover design by Marian Zazeela. New York: Dead Language Press [Piero Heliczer], 1960-62.

Jack Smith (American, 1932-1989) The Beautiful Book, 1962

Jack Smith (American, 1932-1989) "The Beautiful Book" Size: 8.75" x 7" (22 x 18 cm). Complete, includes all 19 works, 18 by Jack Smith and one by Ken Jacobs of the artist at the base of the Brooklyn Bridge. Original 1962 edition of Jack Smith’s "The Beautiful Book." An actor, photographer, and filmmaker, Jack Smith was a seminal figure of American performance art and underground cinema. His most famous film, "Flaming Creatures" (1963), was immensely formative for both drag culture and the artistic styles which came to be known as 'camp' and 'trash.' "The Beautiful Book," his only autonomous photographic publication, was created right before the filming of "Flaming Creatures." Original copies of the book are extremely rare, since Smith only created a single edition of approximately 60+ copies (200 were intended), many of which have been lost. The book consists of 19 contact photographic prints on yellow paper (including one of the artist by Ken Jacobs), assembled by hand by Smith and his colleagues, with a silk-screened cover designed by Marian Zazeela, an artist who appears in almost half of the photographs.

Jack Smith (1932-1989) - Untitled (Composite), for The Beautiful Book, ca.1960

Gelatin silver print, four images on the same sheet, 12.5 x 12.5cm (4 7/8 x 4 7/8in) This uncut composite was used by Jack Smith and Piero Heliczer to create The Beautiful Book published by Heliczer's Dead Language Press in 1962. Smith is regarded as a pioneer of underground cinema and performance art and was a major influence on Andy Warhol. Only two other copies of this print are known. No more than 50 copies of the book were published. IMPORTANT: This lot is sold subject to Artists Resale Rights, details of which can be found in our Terms and Conditions.

Jack Smith (1932-1989) - Untitled (Composite), for The Beautiful Book, ca.1960

Gelatin silver print, four images on the same sheet, 12.5 x 12.5cm (4 7/8 x 4 7/8in) This uncut composite was used by Jack Smith and Piero Heliczer to create The Beautiful Book published by Heliczer's Dead Language Press in 1962. Smith is regarded as a pioneer of underground cinema and performance art and was a major influence on Andy Warhol. Only two other copies of this print are known. No more than 50 copies of the book were published. IMPORTANT: This lot is sold subject to Artists Resale Rights, details of which can be found in our Terms and Conditions.

Jack Smith (American, 1932-1989) The Beautiful Book, 1962

Jack Smith (American, 1932-1989) "The Beautiful Book" Size: 8.75" x 7" (22 x 18 cm). Complete, includes all 19 works, 18 by Jack Smith and one by Ken Jacobs of the artist at the base of the Brooklyn Bridge. Original 1962 edition of Jack Smith’s "The Beautiful Book." An actor, photographer, and filmmaker, Jack Smith was a seminal figure of American performance art and underground cinema. His most famous film, "Flaming Creatures" (1963), was immensely formative for both drag culture and the artistic styles which came to be known as 'camp' and 'trash.' "The Beautiful Book," his only autonomous photographic publication, was created right before the filming of "Flaming Creatures." Original copies of the book are extremely rare, since Smith only created a single edition of approximately 60+ copies (200 were intended), many of which have been lost. The book consists of 19 contact photographic prints on yellow paper (including one of the artist by Ken Jacobs), assembled by hand by Smith and his colleagues, with a silk-screened cover designed by Marian Zazeela, an artist who appears in almost half of the photographs.

SMITH, JACK (1932-1989) Group of 4 montages from The Beautiful Book.

SMITH, JACK (1932-1989) Group of 4 montages from The Beautiful Book. Silver prints, 4 1/2x4 3/4 inches (11.4x12.1 cm.), one is mounted to board. Circa 1962

Jack Smith (1932-1989) - Untitled (Composite), for The Beautiful Book, ca.1960

Gelatin silver print, four images on the same sheet, 12.5 x 12.5cm (4 7/8 x 4 7/8in) Provenance: Piero Heliczer Estate This uncut composite was used by Jack Smith and Piero Heliczer to create The Beautiful Book published by Heliczer's Dead Language Press in 1962. Smith is regarded as a pioneer of underground cinema and performance art and was a major influence on Andy Warhol. Only two other copies of this print are known. No more than 50 copies of the book were published.

Jack Smith (1932 - 1989) - Untitled (Composite), for The Beautiful Book, ca.1960

Jack Smith (1932 - 1989) - Untitled (Composite), for The Beautiful Book, ca.1960 Gelatin silver print, four images repeated twice on the same sheet, 12.5 x 25cm (4 7/8 x 9 7/8in) Provenance: Piero Heliczer Estate This uncut double composite was used by Jack Smith and Piero Heliczer to create The Beautiful Book published by Heliczer's Dead Language Press in 1962. Smith is regarded as a pioneer of underground cinema and performance art and was a major influence on Andy Warhol. Also included is another small fragment of a print used in the book. No more than 50 copies of the book were published.

SMITH, JACK (1932-1989) "Reese Haire with a Blonde."

SMITH, JACK (1932-1989) "Reese Haire with a Blonde." Oversized silver print, 13 1/2 inches (34.3 cm.) square, mounted. Circa 1958-1961

SMITH, JACK (1932-1989) Uncut composite of stills from "The Beautiful Book," with 8 images (including 2 of Smith).

SMITH, JACK (1932-1989) Uncut composite of stills from "The Beautiful Book," with 8 images (including 2 of Smith). Silver print montage, overall size 9 3/4x5 inches (24.8x12.7 cm.). 1960

SMITH, JACK (1932-1989) Composite from "The Beautiful Book" (with Smith at the top far right).

SMITH, JACK (1932-1989) Composite from "The Beautiful Book" (with Smith at the top far right). Silver print, 4 3/4 inches (12.1 cm.) square, each panel is 2 1/4 inches (5.7 cm.). 1960

Jack Smith (American, 1932-1989) The Beautiful Book, containing 17 of the 19 original images, 1962. Identified on cover. Gelatin sil...

Jack Smith (American, 1932-1989) The Beautiful Book, containing 17 of the 19 original images, 1962. Identified on cover. Gelatin silver prints mounted to book pages, 9 x 7 1/2 in. (22.7 x 19.0 cm). Condition: Staining to cover and interior.

SMITH, JACK (1932-1989) Double composite from "The Beautiful Book."

SMITH, JACK (1932-1989) Double composite from "The Beautiful Book." Silver print with spots of blue paint, overall size 5x9 3/4 inches (12.7x24.8 cm.). 1962

SMITH, JACK (1932-1989) Unique double composite from "The Beautiful Book."

SMITH, JACK (1932-1989) Unique double composite from "The Beautiful Book." Silver print, 4 3/4x9 1/2 inches (12x24.1 cm.), with flecks of white paint. 1962

JACK SMITH

Untitled Signed "Jack Smith Photografer" center.

JACK SMITH (1932-1989)

JACK SMITH (1932-1989) Stills, c. 1960 uncut double composite gelatin silver print for 16 Immortal Photographs, later The Beautiful Book, 1962 four photographs repeated twice on the same sheet 4 7/8 x 9 7/8 in. (12.5 x 25 cm.)

SMITH, JACK (1932-1989) Double composite from "The Beautiful Book."

SMITH, JACK (1932-1989) Double composite from "The Beautiful Book." Silver print, overall size 5x9 3/4 inches (12.7x24.8 cm.). 1962

SMITH, JACK (1932-1989) Double composite from "The Beautiful Book," with 2 identical studies of Smith (by Ken Jacobs).

SMITH, JACK (1932-1989) Double composite from "The Beautiful Book," with 2 identical studies of Smith (by Ken Jacobs). Silver print, overall size 9 3/4x5 inches (24.8x12.7 cm.), with Jack Smith pictured in the upper left and lower right panels. 1962

Pair of photographs by JACK SMITH (Avant-garde American film-maker, 1932-1989), figural compositions, matted and framed. (Provenance: purchased in April, 1988 at the Sotheby's Andy Warhol Estate Sale.) Unsigned. Image: 2" sq.