Hand-coloured offset lithograph with watercolour on paper, circa 1954, from the edition of 190, privately printed and published by Andy Warhol and Seymour Berlin, the lettering was done by Warhol’s mother, Julia Warhola, sheet 22.9 x 14.9 cm. (9 x 5¾ in.)

One of Any Warhol’s first bound and illustrated works, the work highlights his love for his many feline companions—25 of which were, incidentally, named Sam. The coveted work features the blotted line technique he later replaced with his characteristic pop art style devoid of any indication of the artist’s hand. The lettering was done by Warhol’s mother, Julia Warhola who is also responsible for the title’s missing ‘d’. Despite the title, there are actually only 16 ‘Sam’ illustrations in addition to the ‘One Blue Pussy’. The book was privately printed and published by Warhol and his friend Seymour Berlin and given as gifts to friends and prospective clients. Each of the pages was hand-coloured in watercolour by the artist and his friends in ‘colouring parties’ hosted by Warhol.