Joel-Peter Witkin | The Bone House | Signed Limited First Edition with Original Drawing & Etching

The only first edition artist’s proof (AP) books from Joel’s personal archive. The book comes in a clamshell box with an original signed etching. For this limited publication, Twin Palms Publishers produced (250) first edition books, plus (12) APs, which include an original signed etching. Joel has decided to release all (12) APs and added drawings to each of the clamshell boxes making them each a truly unique piece of art. Laid in back is tissue-guarded lithograph of a line drawing, 6″ x 8″ in the style of Picasso, #AP, signed and numbered in pencil by the artist, printed on rag paper measuring 8″ x 10″, backed on black thick stock, secured with plastic photo corners. Loosely laid in a piece of ephemera: the publisher’s slip stating accession number (#AP 1-12). 

This is a retrospective look at the work of one of the late twentieth century’s most profound artists. For this collection Joel-Peter Witkin has personally selected his finest images, ranging from his early Coney Island “freak show” studies to his most celebrated work. Witkin’s portraits of subjects both living and dead have disturbed countless viewers for their unwavering viewpoint and magically grotesque compositions. The artist’s sojourn, with each photograph a station along his path, veers between oblivion and salvation.

Twin Palms Publishers


November 1998

First Edition

Hardcover clamshell with a pictorial plate on front

Book: 10 x 10 inches / Clamshell: 11-1/2 x 11-1/8 x 1-3/4 inches

92 four-color plates


196 pages 

• Joel will personalize by name only if requested. Please include the exact name spelling in the note section during check out. 
• Includes free shipping.
• Book only available for sale in the continental United States.
• Processing can take 1-2 weeks.

Limited | 12 

*Please note, the books are in perfect condition; however, the clamshell boxes show slight water stains in various corners. See photos for reference.