“AFRICA, THE BLACK, ASTONISHING APPLE OF THE WORLD—MOTHERLAND, LANDSCAPE, AND HEARTSPACE”

RITTS, Herb. Africa. Boston: Little, Brown, (1994). Oblong folio, original gray cloth, original dust jacket. $325.

First trade edition of this photographic travelogue of Africa.

“The 75 black-and-white images from the book make a surprisingly personal statement… In such an ancient land, Ritts captured the unceasing cycles of life and death, beauty and ferocity. This travelogue explores artistic goals as much as it does a place: that’s fine territory for Ritts” (David Schonauer). “Best known for his vivid portraits of popular-culture celebrities… appearing in the editorial pages of Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair, and Vogue, Ritts has also gained a reputation as a major photographer for [such] advertising campaigns… as Giorgio Armani, Calvin Klein, Honda, and The Gap” (McDarrah, 383). Published the same year as a deluxe limited first edition of only 300 copies. Owner stamp of Barbara Turk, award-winning fashion editor and stylist for such publications as Vanity Fair, Mademoiselle, House and Garden and the New York Times.

Tiny closed tear to head of spine. A fine copy.