BIKERS AND ALTAR BOYS, NUNS AND PROSTITUTES, MARIACHIS AND ELVIS IMPERSONATORS: LAITA’S CREATED EQUAL, SIGNED BY THE PHOTOGRAPHER, WITH ACCOMPANYING ORIGINAL CONTACT PRINT

LAITA, Mark. Created Equal. (Lunenburg, Vermont: The Stinehour Press for Fahey/Klein Gallery Publications, 2006). Quarto, original black cloth, mounted cover illustration. $650.

First edition of this arresting photobook, presenting 20 black-and-white diptychs from Laita’s 2006 exhibition of the same title, signed by the photographer on the title page. With one of 50 original silver gelatin contact prints of the diptych “Ballerina/Boxer” laid-in.

“At the heart of this collection of portraits is my desire to remind us that we were all equal, until our environment, circumstances or fate molds and weathers us into whom we become” (Introduction). Laita shot striking black-and-white posed portraits from 1999 through 2005, creating 86 pairs of photographs, or diptychs, confronting both the divisions and the common humanity of Americans at the turn of the 21st century.

A fine signed copy, with original contact print.