Rolf Tietgens - Die Regentrommel - 1936

'Die Regentrommel' is an influential photobook by the German-American photographer Rolf Tietgens, first published in 1936 by the Berlin-based publisher 'Die Graue Reihe'.

The work is regarded as a significant testament to early ethnographic and poetic photography: It documents the life and culture of North American Indigenous peoples (“Indians”) through a combination of photographs and songs. Tietgens used a Leica camera for the photographs. His images are characterised by a distinctive atmospheric density that goes beyond mere documentation and already foreshadows his later surrealist and poetic style. The photographs were taken during Tietgens’ travels through the USA in the 1930s.

Condition: very good, firm binding, Outside cover very clean. One tear at upper spine. Inside clean and unmarked with the exception of a gift inscription.