Signed; William Klein - New York - 1995

Rare, signed and inscribed edition by William Klein with the handwritten annotation “Happy New York” (there is only one other signed copy on the internet at nearly €3,000!). The edition offered here includes many images that seem unpublished and benefits from a very high-quality print run considering the advances made in printing techniques over 40 years, produced from the original negatives. The edition also features a very large format, allowing double-page spreads of 35 cm by 50 cm. Sturdy hard cover with a debossed title and a titled dust jacket. In excellent condition, almost like new;

This new French edition, published for the exhibition New York 1954-55 at the Maison Européenne de la Photographie from 24 September to 17 November 1996, as part of the Mois de la Photo in Paris, comprises 256 pages and 188 black-and-white photographs. First published in 1956, New York remains William Klein’s signature work, which revolutionized photographic conventions. A blend of compositional rules, shots taken from high and low angles, painterly blur, violent contrasts, accidental framing: everything previously regarded as an “error” becomes aesthetic here, serving a brutal and poetic vision of the city. Klein, who had just left New York for Paris, returned to photograph his hometown and produced a chaotic, ironic, and dazzling portrait, staging street children, anonymous crowds, graffiti, pervasive advertisements, and close-up faces. This book, described as “atomic” by critics of the time, marks a decisive break in the history of 20th-century photography and will influence an entire generation of artists. The 1955 edition is listed in The Photobook by Parr & Badger, vol. I p. 243, as well as in Auer 802 photobooks from the M. + M. Auer collection p. 365, The Open Book of the Hasselblad Center p. 165-166, Andrew Roth, The Book of 801 Books, seminal photographic books of the Twentieth Century p. 140 to 143.

Book from my personal collection, in excellent condition, almost like new, kept with the utmost care. Very efficient protected shipping and guaranteed international tracking. For multiple purchases, opportunity for combined shipping with reimbursement of any excess postage paid via PayPal.

2.4 kg excluding packaging