I Shock Myself: The Autobiography of Beatrice Wood Value Guide

This 1985 autobiography chronicles the avant-garde life of Beatrice Wood, a pivotal figure in the Dada movement and a celebrated ceramicist. It is highly collectible for its firsthand accounts of her relationships with Marcel Duchamp and Henri-Pierre Roché, serving as a vital primary source for 20th-century art history.

What affects the value of I Shock Myself: The Autobiography of Beatrice Wood?

• Condition of the dust jacket, as tears or heavy fading significantly reduce the $20-$25 market value.
• Presence of a verified author signature or a personal inscription to a known figure in the art world.
• The specific printing edition, with first editions generally commanding the higher end of the price spectrum.
• Overall paper preservation, specifically looking for foxing or yellowing which is common in 1980s trade paperbacks.

How to Identify I Shock Myself: The Autobiography of Beatrice Wood?

• Verify the 1985 publication date and publisher, typically Dillingham Press or Chronicle Books.
• Check for the distinctive cover art often featuring a portrait of Wood or her ceramic work.
• Look for a signature by Beatrice Wood, as she frequently signed copies well into her later years.
• Confirm the presence of numerous black-and-white photographs documenting her bohemian lifestyle and artistic circle.

History of I Shock Myself: The Autobiography of Beatrice Wood

Beatrice Wood, often called the "Mama of Dada," led an extraordinary life that spanned over a century. A central figure in the avant-garde movements of New York and California, she was a potter, writer, and artist who associated with Marcel Duchamp and Henri-Pierre Roché. Her autobiography offers a candid and lively look into her bohemian lifestyle, her relationships, and her artistic journey, reflecting the changing cultural landscape of the 20th century.