U.S. Camera books

[JMC1969]

I found a couple of hardback books yesterday called "U.S. Camera 1954" and a 1955. The 55 has nine Ansel Adams prints in them. Made with Polaroid Pathfinder and a back in a Speed graphic. The paper is quite different than the rest of the book and glossy. As well they have seemed to yellow just a bit. Can anyone tell me how common these books are and anything about the process of the Adams prints? I don't really understand why they have aged different than the rest of the book. How where they made? I don't actually think they are "Prints" as they are front and back as well as text next to them, but they are definitely not like the rest.

It seems that these books started in 1935 as there is a Preface in the front describing a 20th anniversary edition. Any chance of coming across the rest of these and how long they were around? I found some of the magazines at the bay, but none of the books. Also saw a short post on another Photo forum, but not a lot of info.

Thanks,
Jody

 

[Christopher Walrath]

I wouldn't say they're rare, per se. Just takes some hunting and pecking to find them. I see them all of time on ebay. As to the prints I beleive they are duotones. That was the process that AA seemed to like for repros and knowing his penchant for sticking to standards it would surprise me within that time frame if they proved to be anything but.



ADDENDUM
Found this in the description for the annual at http://home.comcast.net/~saretzky/photobooks2/annuals.html

'and Ansel Adams, on special paper for fine screen printing' The only mention of different materials being used anywhere in the annual from this resource.

 

[Terence]

I have most of the 1950s. They're definitely not rare. I see them in used book stores all the time. And they go for cheap.

 

[Merg Ross]

I have the volume of US Camera that you mention (1955) and Ansel's reproductions were on a coated stock, unlike the remainder of the book, and had a warm yellow look originally.

My father is represented in the 1955 edition (Donald Ross) as well as subsequent editions of US Camera. My work is in the 25th Anniversary edition, I believe 1961, and several others. It was a very popular book in its day and Tom Maloney did a fine job as editor. You will find a lot of photographers represented in those pages, long before they became famous.

www.mergross.com

 

[Vaughn]

I have a couple of those...where else can one see color images by Edward Weston?! Fun books to thumb through.

Vaughn

 

[JMC1969]

Merg; That's awesome that you and your father are in the books. I immediately looked him up and oddly enough his first pages was "dogearred" and this photo was compared to Tchaikowski. To be quite honest I have not really schooled myself on Famous photographers or the history of photographers as I may well should have, so these books will probably be a good start for me. Much like painting I have been drawn to a couple of main artist at either end of the spectrum and not spent much time in between. Picasso (early years mainly) and Gauguin = Uelsmann and Adams. As a camera collector/ I just want to shoot one time with all cameras, I love the back end of these books for all the adds for equipment. I had no idea the Omega D2 enlarger was that old. With these books I also picked up a 8½ x 11, 8 page color brochure titled "International Favorites...... Ricoh" and lists cameras from the "500", TLR's, and the "Golden 16". Pretty cool.

Vaughn, I didn't see Weston listed in these two books, but I will search for it.

Thanks all

 

[Vaughn]

My copies are in a box somewhere after moving -- the color Weston images might be 1957, give or take a couple years.

Vaughn

 

[Merg Ross]

My copies are in a box somewhere after moving -- the color Weston images might be 1957, give or take a couple years.

Vaughn

Not in 1957.

Jody, if you have an interest in the color work of Edward Weston, I would suggest the following, inexpensive book: http://www.creativephotography.org/publications/

Scroll down a bit and you will find it. This is the best book of his color photography.

Have fun with your exploration of photographers. The US Camera annuals, regardless of year, are a good place to start.

I like your choice of painters, both high on my list.

 

[JMC1969]

Thanks for the link Merg, I may check it out. Probably better spent money on that than another fix-it-up camera. I have too many of those already. I have always been more of a learn as I go or by example, but as I get older that is changing and I am taking more time with things. Probably why I am enjoying the medium format and 4x5 in recent years.