Georgia O'Keeffe by O'Keeffe, Georgia; [Varon, Malcolm] - 1976

New York: The Viking Press, 1976. First trade edition of Georgia O'Keeffe's lavishly illustrated career retrospective, presented by O'Keeffe to the book's photographer Malcolm Varon: "With appreciation for your part in helping to make this book / Sincerely / Georgia O'Keeffe / 1977." In these pages, O'Keeffe follows her creative awakening from her first childhood drawings through her iconic images of flowers, bones, and the topography of Taos. Vivid color reproductions of over one hundred paintings accompany her meditations on her development as an artist: "I find that I have painted my life -- things happening in my life -- without knowing." The colophon notes that "the color photography for this book was for the most part executed specially by Malcolm Varon," who would be O'Keeffe's photographer of choice until her death a decade later. Issued simultaneously with a signed limited edition of 175 copies. A near-fine copy with a wonderful association, warmly inscribed by O'Keeffe. Folio, measuring 16 x 11.75 inches: [228]. Original textured ivory cloth lettered in brown, original unclipped color pictorial dust jacket. Illustrated with 104 color plates, one folding, of O'Keeffe's paintings; portrait of O'Keeffe by Dan Budnik. Presentation inscription from O'Keeffe to photographer Malcolm Varon on half-title. Opening pages toned.