Paris Mortel (Mortal Paris)
Hilversum: C. de Boer Jr., (1963). First edition. Hardcover. Quarto. Unpaginated. Original printed blue wraps over gray cloth with blue lettering on front and spine. Blue endpapers.
Rare first edition of one of the best photo books on Paris ever published. Illustrated with 65 b/w photogravures by Dutch photographer, filmmaker, and author Joan van der Keuken (1938-2001). Photographs printed on Japan-fold leaves. The photographs were taken between 1956 and 1958. His images show the city as a place deeply entrenched in class issues thought focusing-and conveying a working, as much as a working-class city. Contains list of photographs at rear.
"From 1956 to 1958 Joan van der Keuken studied film making in Paris, but also took thousands of photographs on the streets, very much under the influence of William Klein, whose book New York had appeared in 1956. At that time Paris was, if not exactly in turmoil, at least an uneasy city. Events of the day were dominated by the Algerian uprising, regular changes of government and Charles de Gaulle's rapid rise to power. Van der Keuken combines the American energy of Klein with an undertone of loneliness and desolation that was typically European, seen in the work of his compatriot Ed van der Eisken, and such figures as Christer Strömholm and Robert Frank." (Parr/Badger Vol. 1, pp. 248/49) (The Open Book, page 196)
Captions in Dutch, French, English and German. Small stain on lower front cover of dustjacket, some very light water-staining on spine. Half-title with library stamp, discarded in red. Minor stain on title and facing page. Very good- to near fine condition. Item #52047
Price: $1,750.00