Kurt Vonnegut "Bomb" Signed with Original Self-Portrait "Goodbye Blue Monday" Bomb in Museum Quality Frame Start Price USD 0.01 Current Price USD 505.00 Time Left - Bid Count 16 Buy It Now Price USD 869.00 Reserve Price - Start Time Monday, November 17, 2008 End Time Saturday, November 22, 2008 Location Richmond, VA See more about 'Kurt Vonnegut "Bomb" Signed with Original Self-Portrait' Description Limited Edition Silkscreen of the "Goodbye Blue Monday" Bomb Illustration from Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. with Original Self-Portrait Signature in a Museum Quality Frame About Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. Acclaimed 20th Century author of satirical fiction.  Born on Armistice Day 1922 to German-American parents.  Son and grandson of architects.  His mother committed suicide on mother's day, 1944.  His life and outlook were profoundly affected by these factors, but particularly by his combat service and prisoner-of-war status in World War II, where he personally witnessed the catastrophic Allied firebombing of Dresden, Germany.  After the war he studied anthropology at the University of Chicago.      Among his most successful novels were Player Piano (1952), Cat's Cradle (1963), God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater (1965), Slaughterhouse Five (1969), Breakfast of Champions (1973), Jailbird (1979), Galapagos (1985), Bluebeard (1987), and Timequake (1997).      Vonnegut's work was unorthodox, genre-bending, making striking criticisms of human civilization, especially Western, while rarely failing to be humorous.  He was a humanist, activist, family man.  He raised seven children (three his own, three his late sister's, one adopted).  His son Mark was named after American novelist Mark Twain, whom Vonnegut considered a saint.  Vonnegut's children, all accomplished professionals, artists and/or writers, remained close to their father until his death in 2007. About Breakfast of Champions Written by Vonnegut for his 50th birthday, this book is one of his quirkiest, yet most celebrated.  Breakfast of Champions tells the adventure of a discouraged author, Kilgore Trout, traveling across the country to an art symposium, fated to meet with deranged car salesman Dwayne Hoover.  The book features illustrations by the author throughout, rendered with felt-tip pen in a simplistic, scribbly style, but with unmistakable influence by drafting techniques absorbed from his architect father.  The story is told by Vonnegut to beings from other worlds who might not be familiar with human civilization.  His drawings serve to illustrate key items and events discussed in the adventure.      Not surprisingly, the illustrations in this satirical novel have been widely reproduced and displayed by Vonnegut's fans.  You may find Vonnegut's illustrations replicated by other artists, used by musical groups, and as tattoos on his readers' bodies. The "Goodbye Blue Monday" Bomb Illustration "Goodbye Blue Monday" is the alternate title of the novel Breakfast of Champions.  The novels written in the middle of Vonnegut's life had alternate titles.  The full title of the novel was Breakfast of Champions; or, Goodbye Blue Monday.  This was the third of his four double-named books.  Following the title page of the novel, Vonnegut created a page that simply says, "OR," and on a third page, "Goodbye Blue Monday!"      As the story begins, Vonnegut explains the origin of the alternate title, that it was inscribed on the side of a bomb by the workers who built it, as a sort of motto for the bomb's ultimate recipients.  There he provides the illustration of the bomb, the start of his recurring theme of the illogic and cruelty of mankind in this surprisingly hilarious book.  The bomb illustration is arguably the cornerstone drawing of the novel. This Limited Edition Print by Origami Express Kurt Vonnegut partnered with his friend Joe Petro III to create Origami Express for the purpose of making high quality silkscreen copies of Vonnegut's famous illustrations and art to sell to his fans.      The print for sale here is number 57 from a set of 59.  This was the very first set of Vonnegut's significant "Blue Monday" Bomb prints.  The bomb is floating (falling) on a 7" x 9-15/16" sheet of handmade paper with a ragged bottom edge.  The authenticity of the piece is visible from the embossed double mark of Origami Express (Vonnegut's "ass-terisk" and Petro's trademark for his Petro III Graphics business). The Self-portrait Autograph Vonnegut has a very distinctive signature, in the middle of which is often his "ass-terisk" that famously kicks off his introduction to Breakfast of Champions.  He also created an iconic, doodle-style self-portrait.  On some occasions he combined the two.  The majority of the screen prints of Vonnegut's art were signed with the artist's basic autograph.  Today, those prints with the basic signature, even from larger sets of 250 to 700, sell for $300 to $500 from Origami Express's site, unframed.      This rare print features a flawless rendering of the self-portrait and signature combination by Vonnegut's hand.  This oversized autograph is larger than 3" x 3".  Vonnegut signed all of his prints in pencil (click image for detail in new window). The Museum-Quality Glass, Matting & Frame I purchased this print from Petro & Vonnegut in the Spring of 2005 when the artist/author was still alive.  It was with tremendous pride that I received the artwork.  I went to great lengths to ensure the artwork would be protected and suitably displayed.  Materials, dimensions, color, texture, and form would be carefully selected to complement and preserve the art.      The matting material is acid-free, and the adhesive is a non-destructive, non-staining paste applied along the top edge of the art paper.  The frame itself is a resilient polymer, sealed on the back with a paper cover to prevent the permeation of dust and/or insects.  The glass is a lightly frosted matte to reduce glare, with UV blocking protection.      The framing was performed by a professional art framer.  Hinged, metal wire hanger hardware was installed on the rear of the frame for secure wall mounting.  The rear of the bottom edges feature clear plastic "feet" to protect your wall from marking.      The colors and dimensions of the framing members are very deliberate.  Rather than select a standard matte and frame, custom-sized pieces were cut to ideally present the art.  A uniform 3" margin surrounds the art paper.  The only hint of color in Vonnegut's art is the faint [gunmetal] bluish hue of the bomb.  I selected a more saturated blue-gray, also suggestive of a gloomy sky.  The frame's custom dimensions (16-1/4" x 19-3/8") were dictated by the measurements of the approximately 3" border around the art.  I selected a shiny, utilitarian black finish, half the width of the matting perimeter, with parallel grooves that mimic Vonnegut's shading technique on the tail of the bomb.  The special conservation glass, of course, had to be cut to custom dimensions as well.      To come up with this precise combination of colors, materials and textures, I spent hours reviewing and comparing hundreds of choices, exasperating the frame shop staff, and multiplying the labor costs by a factor of five with all my meticulous demands.  However, the finished result, I believe, reflects my deep respect for the man, for his life and his politics, by preserving and displaying this artistic concept in such a unique manner. About the Seller I am Ian Firestone, author, anthropologist, artist, architect (much like Vonnegut).  It is with no small amount of emotion that I part with this piece, but you can't take your prized possessions to the grave.  Rather than give this to someone I love who doesn't understand its significance or value, I choose to let the next person who wants it most acquire and appreciate it.  Loved ones appreciate money.  Vonnegut lovers appreciate Vonnegut.      I have set a reserve level that essentially matches the cost of acquiring, framing, and selling this piece (inflation adjusted).  I think it's a great deal for the person who wishes to own this.  Only 59 were ever created of this print with the full self-portrait signature, and it's doubtful that most of them will be this well preserved.      I have a 100% satisfaction rating on eBay, and it is my passion to accurately represent and stand by everything I sell.  I will do everything in my power to make your purchase satisfactory.  In return, I ask that if you win the bidding for this item, you pay promptly, leave feedback when you receive the item, and contact me if you have any questions or concerns.  But most importantly, I ask that you give this precious item a safe and loving home. Terms of Sale & Shipping I have relisted this item with a lower reserve and buy-it-now price.  I will not be lowering these any further.  I have also reduced the packaging and shipping rates below cost.  The shipping price below includes insurance.  The framed art will be very well packed.  Please see my additional terms and guarantees below. Place a Bid!