“NEVER HAVE I FOUND THE LIMITS OF THE PHOTOGRAPHIC POTENTIAL”: ASSOCIATION COPY OF W. EUGENE SMITH’S PHOTOGRAPHS AND NOTES

SMITH, W. Eugene. W. Eugene Smith: His Photographs and Notes. (New York): Aperture, (1993). Square quarto, original stiff photographic wrappers. $350.

Second edition of this handsome monograph, issued posthumously, featuring 120 striking duotones, association copy from the library of photographer Margery Lewis Smith, Eugene Smith’s longtime partner and frequent collaborator.

Ansel Adams praised this monograph of W. Eugene Smith’s celebrated images, writing that “Gene Smith’s work validates my most vigorous convictions that if the documentary photograph is to be truly effective it must contain elements of art, intensity, fine craft and sprirituality. All these his work contains and we may turn to his work with gratitude, appreciation and great respect.” The volume’s series of portfolios famous “Walk to Paradise Garden,” combat work from WWII and the “immensely influential” ‘Country Doctor’ series, which John Szarkowsky praised as moving the photo-essay “away from narrative, toward interpretive comment.” Preceded by 1969 edition. As issued without dust jacket. See Parr & Badger II:104. From the library of photographer Margery Lewis Smith, whose work was featured in Steichen’s 1955 Family of Man exhibit, and who was a longtime partner of W. Eugene Smith.

A fine association copy.