Christer Strömholm - LES AMIES DE PLACE BLANCHE - 2011

Aman Iman, France. 2011. First edition, first print. A fantastic book about the legendary series by the important Swedish photographer Christer Strömholm, teacher of Anders Petersen and famous for 'Poste Restante' (1965, Martin Parr, The Photobook, vol 1, page 251, 802 photobooks from the M.+M. Auer collection, page 466) and 'Till minnet av mig själv' (The Open Book, Hasselblad Center, pages 216/217, 802 photobooks from the M.+M. Auer collection, page 443). Mint, new, unread; still wrapped in the original shrink wrap from the publisher. Originally published in 1983, Les Amies focuses on the transsexual community around the Place Blanche district of Paris in the late 1950s and early 1960s. The book established Christer Strömholm's reputation as one of the leading photographers of the twentieth century. The book includes Strömholm's original essays and editor Johan Ehrenberg's, as well as newly commissioned texts by Jackie and Nana, two of the women appearing in many of the photographs.
Chapters in the book. The book concludes with a 32-page notebook containing unpublished letters, articles, and contact sheets. (from the publisher) Very limited edition. Hardcover without dust jacket. 300 x 210 mm. 226 pages. 224 black-and-white photographs. Essays by Christer Strömholm, Johan Ehrenberg. Text by Jackie, Nana. Introduction by Helene Hazera. Text in English and French. Beautiful photo book in perfect condition. 'This is a book about uncertainty. A portrait of people living a different life in the great city of Paris, of people who have endured the harshness of the streets. This is a book about humiliation, about the smell of prostitutes and nightlife in cafés. This is a book about the search for self-identity, about the right to live, about the right to own and control one's body.' (Christer Strömholm, 1983). The book has two printing spots of the standard in which it is positioned (see photo 1 at the bottom).