Richard Avedon. In The American West. 1979-1984 [INSCRIBED]

Richard Avedon. Essay by Laura Wilson.

Harry N. Abrams. New York. 1985. First edition. Inscribed in ink by Avedon to front free endpaper - 'For Martin Harrison / Avedon'. Hardback, quarto; loth-bound hardback with illustrations pasted to boards, acetate dust jacket. Housed in original mailing carton. [172 pages]. 113 monochrome photographs, including 1 gate-fold. English. 365 x 290mm. 2.2kg. 9780810911055. Fine, in fine acetate jacket.

An influential American photo book by Richard Avedon. In the American West was commissioned by the Amon Carter Museum in Fort Worth, Texas. During a period of six years Avedon travelled through the Western states photographing the American people. His view is bleak, the sitters are the misfits and down-and-outs - drifters, factory workers, miners, bartenders, maids, ranchers, meat packers, migrants, cow boys, oil field workers and grave diggers - but Avedon's graceful portraits give them a powerful, challenging presence. From the library of the art historian and photography expert Martin Harrison, inscribed to him by Avedon. This copy is in excellent condition having been well-preserved in the original cardboard mailing box.
 
[Parr & Badger. The Photobook: A History Volume II. p.38]