I've always thought that a book can only be bettered by having pictures in it, but then there are picture books and picture books! The amazing tome that recently went under the hammer in New York is definitely the latter. The collection of forty volumes collected a price of over a million dollars making it one of the most expensive collections of books ever sold!
The collection, titled The North American Indian was the work of Edward S. Curtis. The photographs were taken on a expedition funded by the banker J. P. Morgan to document the lives and rituals of the native American Indians. The resulting photographs are not mere documentation but works of exquisite beauty.
These really are some of the most fantastic photographs I have ever seen. The lighting and soft sepia tone make them incredibly atmospheric and almost sentimental without belying the incredible strength of the subject matter.
The book provides a glimpse of a world and its customs that must have all but vanished.
I recently saw another set of photographs with a native Indian theme. These came from the Pulp Art Book by Neill Krug and Joni Harbeck. I actually saw the image below in a clients house and was blown away by it. A little google image investigation later and I had found the source.
Well once I had found these it was like opening a pandora's box! All their photography is absolutely amazing and well worth a look. Great use of retro images and evocative themes with beautiful distressing and use of light. I am a huge fan!
www.pulpartbook.com
The collection, titled The North American Indian was the work of Edward S. Curtis. The photographs were taken on a expedition funded by the banker J. P. Morgan to document the lives and rituals of the native American Indians. The resulting photographs are not mere documentation but works of exquisite beauty.
These really are some of the most fantastic photographs I have ever seen. The lighting and soft sepia tone make them incredibly atmospheric and almost sentimental without belying the incredible strength of the subject matter.
The book provides a glimpse of a world and its customs that must have all but vanished.
I recently saw another set of photographs with a native Indian theme. These came from the Pulp Art Book by Neill Krug and Joni Harbeck. I actually saw the image below in a clients house and was blown away by it. A little google image investigation later and I had found the source.
Well once I had found these it was like opening a pandora's box! All their photography is absolutely amazing and well worth a look. Great use of retro images and evocative themes with beautiful distressing and use of light. I am a huge fan!
www.pulpartbook.com
