First Edition Library was birthed from being asked to put on an event for a space that was planned to open in Melbourne. I had been collecting books for a few years and wanted a way to share these books with people who had a similar passion and similar interests. As I really loved learning about artists, designers, niche subcultures and all sorts of other things through the book’s others would share online.
From time to time, I would share my books on Instagram, but I didn’t want to spam people that were there to follow me for other reasons. So, when the opportunity to do an event came up, I figured an open library to share my collection would be the perfect idea. That original event fell through, but I had already committed to doing the event financially so that’s when I approached Kirra from Saloon Store to see if they would be interested in hosting. Sure enough, they were.
My collection at the time had some great stuff but I felt I could make the event better so that’s when I had the idea to approach some of my favourite creatives who I knew were avid book collectors. They each donated around ten books from their personal collections and from there we had what I called the first issue of the ‘First Edition’ open library. A space for people to come browse through rare and lesser-known art books and hopefully connect with other creatives.
That event was a success however throwing a non-for-profit event still came with costs. I knew to be able to do more events in the future I had to find a way to build some revenue. Hence, I decided to start selling books under the same umbrella. Months later I’m deep in the vortex of the internet sourcing books multiple times throughout the day and about to head off to Japan for my first buying trip.
How and where do you source your books from?
I can’t give away all my secrets otherwise everyone would go straight to the source. But right now, a lot of my books are coming from Japan. Japan is like a gold mine for rare books and with the yen being quite low it’s a great time to be buying. Keep an eye out on my Instagram and I might share some of my favourite stores while I’m over there. I do however also source a fair bit locally from some of the great second hand bookstores here in Melbourne as well as Opp shops and local eBay sellers. I’m also very open to buying books from people directly so if you have a book you may want to part ways with don’t hesitate to shoot me a DM.
What is your favourite book in your collection, if you had to pick one?
Oooft picking one book is like picking a favourite child. You can’t really do it but there probably is one you prefer. The book I’ve paid the most for and is in my top 5 is ‘Star piece’ by Shiro Kuramata published by Japanese publisher TOTO. A super rare book on the drawings by one of my biggest design inspirations, Shiro Kuramata.
What is a book you would love to own but don’t have yet?
The book I would really love to own is the incredibly rare Comme des garcons furniture Catalogue from 1990. Lesser known than her clothing but Rei Kawakubo was an amazing furniture designer. A friend of mine has two copies and loves to tease me with them. I’m hoping to find a somewhat affordable copy whilst I’m in Tokyo.
Can you show us your top 5 art books that you currently have available?
1. The Complete Tadanori Yokoo. Us edition Published by Barrons, New York
This is probably the most iconic book on the prolific Japanese artist/ graphic designer Tadanori Yokoo. It covers a whole array of his incredibly intricate, sometimes bizarre but always amazing work from the late 60’s. In his writing at the front of the book he refers to his works at foetuses and ends the piece by saying “The works collected here are all my miscarriages, and the book is no more than a cemetery for them. With out doing this or something like it I could simply not go on with life. Burying my works one piece at a time – if only to be free for a moment from the fear of deaths shadow – I must become witness to my own death as I confront tomorrow, and the death which It holds.” These works from a period of which he was not proud of have gone down as some of his most iconic making this book the cult classic that it is today.
2. M – Takashi Homma (2010). First edition published by Gallery 360 degrees edition of 500
One I love by one of my favourite Japanese photographers Takashi Homma. Each copy comes with a unique screen printed cover making the book a beautiful tactile object. M is a series of halftone works by Homma that focus on McDonalds restaurants. Copies of the book are becoming really hard to come by.
3. Isamu Noguchi by Sam Hunter (1979)
Isamu Noguchi one of the first names in design I ever knew thanks to bootleg versions of his table that would appear on the block. However, his work is so much grander that that. The Japanese American sculptor is a true master of stone, and this book is a testament to that. [This book is] one of the biggest and best, full of beautiful photography of his work from furniture to playgrounds. A really hard book to come by especially in Australia.
4. Xerox Book, By John W. Wendell and Seth Siegelaub (1968). 2015 reissue by Roma Publications.
A now Legendary and very rare book (even the 2015 reissue) of Xerox works by Carl Andre, Lawrence Weiner, Sol Lewitt, Robert Morris, Robert Barry, Joseph Kosuth and Douglas Huebler. For the book, curator Seth Seigelaub asked each artist to create 25 pages of work that responded to the photo copy form of Xerox which was quite a new concept at the time in the 60’s. A really great book to Flip through; repetition in its finest form.
5. Claes Oldenburg, Barbara Rose (1970). 1st Edition Published by the Museum of Modern Art.
The cover of this book caught my eye. Bold! Just like the work of Claes Oldenburg. The inside did not disappoint either. An excellent book by one my favourite artist and legend of the pop art movement. This book gives you a true insight into the work of Oldenburg from his architectural drawings to his sculptures. It has a slightly damaged cover but that makes it even more full of character.
You can follow Sean on Instagram @brrrrrrrrick and @firstedition.library
