Grapefruit: Words and Drawings by Yoko Ono

Self-published on July 4, 1964, through her own boutique imprint, Wunternaum Press, the true first edition of Yoko Ono’s Grapefruit stands as a legendary, foundational monument of global Conceptual art and the Fluxus movement. Unable to find commercial backing, Ono funded the project herself, limiting the print run to a strict, hand-numbered edition of only 500 copies. This rare, square octavo volume was bound in fragile, minimalist white paper wrappers with simple black typography. Divided into five distinct text-based sections—Music, Painting, Event, Poetry, and Object—the pages swap tangible artworks for surreal, thought-provoking "event scores" or prompts that invite the reader to actively execute meaning. 

Following her marriage to John Lennon, Grapefruit transitioned from a hidden avant-garde novelty into an international cultural phenomenon with its 1970 New York edition, published by Simon & Schuster (and concurrently by Peter Owen in London). This expanded commercial iteration dramatically overhauled the book's visual presentation, introducing a thick, conventional layout that added subsequent conceptual drawings, historical photographs, and playful documentation of her performance art pieces. Crucially, the 1970 edition featured a famous, brief text introduction authored by Lennon, who later openly admitted that his legendary anthem "Imagine" was directly inspired by Ono's poetic instructions (such as "Cloud Piece"). Retaining a trade dust jacket with its original retail price, this reissue served as the primary gateway that introduced Ono's witty, Eastern-influenced philosophies to the Western mainstream counter-culture.

Cream hardcover with minimalist black lettering to upper board and spine. Some yellowish dampstaining to the boards. Original yellow dust wrapper with headshot of Yoko Ono and title in gold on front an mirror image on the back. Some minimal sunning to spine. Fine condition.