Josef Sudek: Fotografie, First Edition

Josef Sudek: Fotografie

First Edition, First Printing, 1956

Exceptional Condition

This is a first edition, first printing of Josef Sukek’s remarkable photobook “Josef Sudek: Fotografie” published by Statni Nakladatelstvi Krasne Literatury, Prague in 1956. Sudek began his career as a photographer working with a large format camera to produce hazily beautiful portraiture, still life, and landscape photography in his native Prague. By 1926 he had abandoned the atmospheric romanticism of his early work and fully came into the clarity of focus and purpose of his mature style. Fotografie includes Sudek’s work from both periods and presents some of the most poignant images of the 20th century. David Levi Strauss in “The Book of 101 Books: Seminal Photographic Books of the Twentieth Century” wrote, “This beautifully produced photo-essay is considered "one of the finest books of photography ever made. In its classic, clean design (by Frantisek Tichy), exquisite photogravure printing, and attention to detail. it is the perfect vehicle for the full range of Sudek's romantic, atmospheric work".

Featuring 6 two-page gatefolds and 232 plates printed in beautiful gravure, the book measures 9.5” x 7” and is bound in tan cloth covered boards with a printed dust jacket. The condition of the book is FINE in a Near Fine+ dust jacket with some light age toning to the spine and mild wear to the extremities. Overall, this is an exceptional copy of one of the most beautiful photobooks ever published.

Cited in both “The Book of 101 Books: Seminal Photographic Books of the Twentieth Century” and the “Open Book” by Andrew Roth.

Photographs of the dust jacket 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.