BOLDLY SIGNED BY WILLIAM KLEIN

KLEIN, William. Close Up. (New York and London): Thames and Hudson, (1989). Folio, original black paper-covered boards, photographic endpapers, original photographic dust jacket. $1200.

First edition, signed by Klein in bold black felt pen on the half title, with 80 full-bleed double-page duotones of Klein’s radical photographs, many never before published.

"I photograph what I see in front of me," notes William Klein, "I move in close to see better and use a wide-angle lens to get as much as possible in the frame." Having returned to photography after over a decade, Klein here assembles a self-described "diary-family album," with 80 full-bleed duotone plates that continue the "delirious, pure Pop art" he first introduced in Life is Good & Good for You (1956) (Roth, 141). With Close Up, Klein vibrantly reminds us that "much great, serious art is often about play, achieved simply by experimenting with the possibilities of the material" (Parr & Badger I:243). Featuring images of Muhammad Ali in Zaire, the Pope at Lourdes, the 1988 Democratic Convention, Sumo wrestlers in Tokyo, a Rolling Stones concert, and many others never before published. Published simultaneously in New York and London.

Images fresh and bright, narrow three-inch strip affixed to rear board; bright original dust jacket. A bold, about-fine copy, scarce signed.