Anonyme Skulpturen by Bernd and Hilla Becher, First Edition

Anonyme Skulpturen. Eine Typologie Technischer Bauten (A Typology of Technical Constructions) by Bernd and Hilla Becher

First Edition, First Printing, 1970

This is a rare first edition, first printing of the Becher’s seminal photobook “Anonyme Skulpturen. Eine Typologie Technischer Bauten (A Typology of Technical Constructions)” published by Art-Press Verlag, Düsseldorf, in 1970. The German husband and wife team of Bernd and Hilla Becher have spent 40 years documenting the relics of the receding industrial age, classifying these near –obsolete structures according to function: lime kilns, cooling towers, blast furnaces winding towers, water towers, gas holders and silos. In this, their groundbreaking first book, the Bechers established the disciplined approach they would follow throughout their career, objective, centered views made with large-format cameras and finely grained black and white film, working under overcast skies early in the morning during spring and fall only to insure a diffuse light with minimal shadows. Parr & Badger in their book, “The Photobook: A History”, state, “In 1970, "the seeds of European photography's future were being sown in a book called Anonyme Skulpturen (Anonymous Sculptures). The German husband-and-wife team of Bernd and Hilla Becher looked backwards to the 'objective' rather than the 'subjective' German photography of the 1920s and early 30s, and also to an era in European industrialization that had largely ended with WWII. But the Bechers also represented the future. They looked forward to a new integration between the traditional arts and photography, and to a new period of vigour and excitement in European photography" "The Bechers' first major book, Anonyme Skulpturen. has had an enormous impact. For those who are more interested in the Bechers as artists than as industrial archaeologists, this is the one to have on one's shelf."

Containing 194 black and white photogravure plates and measuring approximately 11” x 9”, the book is bound in navy blue cloth-covered boards with title stamped in white on the cover and spine and is covered with a photographically illustrated dust jacket. The book is in FINE condition and the dust jacket is in Fine- condition with very superficial wear. Overall, this is an exceptional copy of one of the most important photobooks ever published.

Cited in all three reference works on photobooks:  “The Book of 101 Books: Seminal Photographic Books of the Twentieth Century” by Andrew Roth and “The Photobook: A History”, by Parr and Badger, and “The Open Book” by Andrew Roth.

Photographs of the books cover as well as photographs contained in the book appear below. Please note that although the photographs appear digitized as thumbnails, they are viewable in the photo viewer by running your mouse over the thumbnail. You can also click on the thumbnail to open a separate window where the picture is viewable.