Vincent Trasov a.k.a Mr. Peanut

Ephemera of the artist's campaign to run for mayor of Vancouver as a peanut in 1974. Four original newspaper sheets (approx. 60 x 39 cm, unfolded copies) and two periodicals. (1) The Province, Vancouver, Oct. 31 1974, p.1. 'Nut runs for President'. Trasov is quoted saying people are used to electing 'nuts' to political offices. (2) The Vancouver Sun, Oct. 30 1974, p.1. Large picture of Mr. Peanut filing papers for the Peanut Party's election race. (3) The Province, Vancouver Nov. 21 1974, p.1. Good loser, Mr. Peanut visits mayor-elect Art Phillips. (4) The Province, Vancouver Nov. 21 1974, p. 9. In a nutshell, laughing it up. Image of Mr. Peanut with marching band and dancing girls festively accepting the election defeat.

(5) Esquire (The magazine for Men), August 1974, 28 x 24 cm, 166 pp. Their Arts Belong to Dada, pp. 50-57, with full page picture of Mr. Peanut. (6) Andy Warhol's Interview, Vol.VII No.2 Feb 1977, 39 x 29 cm, 48 pp. Ronnie Cutrone, Art in View, p.39. Text and full page image of 'artist/peanut/mayoral candidate Vincent Trasov alias Mr. Peanut, who just released a book entitled 'The Rise and Fall of the Peanut Party'. All items in fine condition. (total 6) Vincent Trasov (b. 1947) is a Canadian painter, mail art, video and performance artist. In 1969, he founded Image Bank with Michael Morris, a kind of mail art network and archive. In 1970 he assumed the identity of Mr. Peanut, dressed in a handmade paper mâché replica of the mascot of the Planters Peanut Company. His revolutionary alias ran for mayor of Vancouver in 1974.