Print-on-demand encyclopedia of catalytic converters listing their values on the black market, organized by make and model of car. Clouded by an air of illegality, artist Cameron Rowland took this book and reproduced it nearly exactly and reframed it as an artist's book which he convinced the prestigious publisher Walther König to assign an ISBN, and then distributed it almost solely to libraries without ever giving copies to the named publisher (König).
"Cameron Rowland’s artist’s book of catalytic converters. Book of Numbers is an index of used catalytic converters. Each catalytic converter model has a distinct value based on its combination of Rhodium, Platinum, and Palladium, which filter exhaust. This book is used to establish standard values by offering estimates for the most commonly traded catalytic converters based on year, make and model. Trade of used catalytic converters is illegal in most of the United States because their disposal is regulated by state emissions laws." -- Publisher's statement.
Note: Cameron Rowland's version of the book has a different ISBN number of 9783960980131. This copy is the original version, not the artist's book by Rowland.