EVANS, Walker - Message from the Interior

Background information

One of the earlier publications published by Walker EVANS. "A work of art - brilliantly conceived; in a new standard by which serious photo books will be measured." (freely translated, © John SZARKOWSKI)

Content

First edition of this rare photo book. Twelve masterpieces of photography meticulously reproduced in sheet-fed gravure, large prints in one volume on fine bristol board, interlaced and bound in buckram. A unique presentation. "A work of art - brilliantly conceived; certainly sets a new standard by which serious photo books are measured. (© John Szarkowski)

"This issue of 'Message from the Interior' presents the beautiful and sad message of this most remarkable artist on beautiful black and white boards, including a text about the author and his work and a list of illustrations. A unique presentation of 12 masterpieces of photography, precisely reproduced in sheet-fed gravure. Printed full-page in one volume on fine Bristol board. Each illustration is protected by a parchment sheet". (free translation of the publisher's text, © Eskins, 1966)

The volume contains twelve b/w illustrations protected by parchment:

1. Upstairs Room, Walpole, Maine, 1962;

2. Scarborough, New York, 1931;

3. The Breakfast Room, Belle Grove Plantation, White Castle, Louisiana, 1935; 4. The Farmer of Somerstown Road, Near Ossining, New York, 1931;

5. The Church Organ, Rural Alabama, 1936,

6. Mary Frank's Bed, New York City, 1956;

7. East 120th Street, New York City, 1961;

8. The Parlor Chairs, Oldwick, New Jersey, 1958;

9. Alabama Country Fireplace, 1936;

10. The Child's Room, Stockbridge, Massachusetts, 1951;

11. Kingston Station, Rhode Island, 1953;

12. The Ringling Bandwagon, Sarasota, Florida, 1941.

Condition

This paperback edition is still in a quite good condition for its age (>50 years), but with some scratch marks on the cover. The book may show additional minor signs of age or use.

Inside: Minimal signs of age, more at the edges, with occasional creases at the corners of the pages. The inside pages are free of any writing and the parchment pages are all intact (except for a slight tint). The edges of the text block are moderately browned,

Outsides: Black wraps are slightly faded, the white title label with black text on the front is slightly stained. The cover is overall a little scratched. On some of them slight traces of storage are visible, but most of all on the approx. 2cm large missing part on the upper back.

All in all the volume is in a collectable condition!

About the photographer, Walker EVANS

Photo books by and about the work of Walker EVANS