American Ace Book (Limited Edition)

American Ace is an art and historical book created by authors and researchers Craig Smith and Ben Wise. It reprints matchbook covers collected from LGBTQ+ clubs, bars, and hotels in the United States during the 1970s and 1980s. It is a snapshot of a bygone era where matchbooks were used as part of community and connection. This limited edition book makes a great gift for anyone into gay history, queer culture, or graphic design.

The bulk of the book features reproduced risograph prints from the Larry Blagg Gay Matchbook Collection in the Cornell Rare Books Archive. This matchbook collection is a unique portrait of of queer life as collected by a young Larry Blagg in his travels during his youth. The book functions as both a celebratory archive and as a creative intervention in 20th century queer iconography.

• Artist book
• Paperback, perfect binding
• Handpainted gold cover detail
• 65 pages, Risograph-printed
• Made in Tivoli, NY USA
• Limited edition run of 130
• Measurements: 6.5" x 4.2"