Avalanche magazine was founded by Willoughby Sharp and Liza Béar shortly after they met in 1968. At the time, Sharp was a New York-based art historian and independent curator and Béar an underground magazine editor who had recently moved to New York from London. They published the first issue in 1970 and collaborated on 13 issues from 1970 to 1976.

Avalanche focused on art from the perspective of artists rather than critics, and investigated new forms of art that were developing in the U.S. and Europe with a radical new media format—probing interviews, extensive use of photography and dynamic layouts. For many artists, publication in Avalanche preceded a one-person gallery or museum show.

Aside from an eight-page news section, the editorial content included only interviews by Sharp and / or Béar, artists' texts and documents of art and art making, also functioning as an exhibition space in print. Fresh, incisive and unpretentious, the Avalanche interviews -- now landmarks -- illuminate the creative process and give clear voice to the specific issues that permeated the era.

Among the featured artists were Vito Acconci, Joseph Beuys, Hanne Darboven, Walter De Maria, Jan Dibbets, Philip Glass, Barry Le Va, Sol LeWitt, Richard Long, Gordon Matta-Clark, Bruce Nauman, Dennis Oppenheim, Yvonne Rainer, Keith Sonnier, Richard Serra, Robert Smithson, William Wegman, Lawrence Weiner and Jackie Winsor. This boxed facsimile edition of Avalanche's complete run reproduces the first eight issues individually, and the final five in a single bound paperback.

The publication is 1,016 pages and illustrated throughout; is housed in a heavy duty, laminated, archival box measuring 10.5 x 19.5 x 2.5 inches.

The first eight issues measure 9.25 x 9.25 inches and are exact facsimiles of the originals; the subsequent five tabloid-sized issues, now bound as a single volume measuring 9.25 x 13.5 inches, have been reduced slightly in scale from the original format. This new edition weighs approximately 12 lbs (packed weight).

The edition will be shipped in a made-to-fit outer box of heavy duty cardboard to ensure safety and protection. Shipping charges will be $35 for FedEx Ground delivery within the United States; $100 for FedEx International Ground for delivery in Canada; and $300 for FedEx International Economy to Europe; and $350 for FedEx International Economy to Asia.