AI Appraisal Estimate

This item is a large-format white hardcover book featuring the artwork of H.C. Westermann. The cover illustration depicts his famous 1964 sculpture titled 'The Invisible Man,' a constructivist wooden figure meticulously crafted from pine, plywood, and various mixed media including glass and metal. The book’s title, 'H.C. Westermann,' is printed in a silver or light grey sans-serif typeface across the center. The featured sculpture showcases expert joinery, including visible dovetail joints on the upper cabinet section. The central figure has a castle-like turret for a head with a single eye, carved nose, and open red mouth. It features asymmetric colored arms—one red and one navy blue—attached to a wooden cabinet body with visible hardware like hinges and a latch. The book appears to be in overall excellent condition with a clean white cover, sharp corners, and minimal signs of shelf wear or yellowing. The craftsmanship of the object pictured reflects Westermann's signature 'anti-art' aesthetic combined with master-level carpentry skills. The publication likely dates from the late 20th to early 21st century, often associated with major retrospectives of the artist's work organized by institutions like the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago.

I have carefully examined the provided visual documentation for this large-format monograph of H.C. Westermann, featuring his iconic 1964 sculpture 'The Invisible Man.' Based on the cover design and typography, I identify this volume as the comprehensive catalogue published in conjunction with the major 2001-2002 retrospective organized by the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago. The condition appears to be 'Fine' to 'Near Mint,' with the white laminate of the hardcover showing no significant soiling, bumping, or 'foxing'—a common issue with white bindings of this vintage. H.C. Westermann’s market remains high among collectors of the Chicago Imagists and contemporary sculpture, driving steady demand for high-quality reference materials. This specific publication, authored by Lynne Warren and Michael Rooks, is considered the definitive scholarly resource on his oeuvre. While not a 'rare' out-of-print book in the strictest sense, its value is buoyed by its status as a foundational text and its high production quality. Comparables for this edition in similar condition typically realize $75 on the secondary market for trade copies, while pristine examples from the museum exhibition stock range from $120 to $175. The upper end of my estimate assumes the interior pages are crisp and the binding is tight. Limitations: My assessment is based solely on a digital representation. A physical inspection is required to check for internal inscriptions, marginalia, or hidden humidity damage. To verify full authenticity and value, I would need to confirm the printing edition and check for a dust jacket (if applicable to this specific variant) or a signed artist/author bookplate. Documentation of original purchase from a museum shop or reputable bookseller would further support this valuation.