Rich and Poor by Jim Goldberg, First Edition

Rich and Poor by Jim Goldberg

First Edition, Second Printing, 1985

This is a first edition, second printing of Jim Goldberg’s critically acclaimed photobook “Rich and Poor” published by Random House, New York in 1985.  Jim Goldberg worked on this project for over 8 years and photographed people from both ends of the economic spectrum—residents of welfare hotel rooms and the rich in their opulent homes. Each image is accompanied by the subject’s handwritten captions. David Levi Strauss in “The Book of 101 Books: Seminal Photographic Books of the Twentieth Century” writes,” The resulting combination gives a disturbing look at American myths of wealth and poverty in a surprisingly powerful text and photo format. Goldberg's afterward underscores his intent to inspire a reinterpretation of the guiding myths of American society. In 'Rich and Poor,' the desperate attraction between words and photographs is materialized into a potent, stripped down form." And from Magnum Photos: "His pictures reveal his subjects' innermost fears and aspirations, their perceptions and illusions about themselves, with a frankness that makes the portraits as engrossing as they are disturbing." Commenting on the book, Studs Terkel wrote, “Never have stunning photographs been better reflected than here by the subjects themselves. Each one is a revelation. Astonishing”

Featuring 79 finely screened duotones and measuring approximately 11” x 8.5”, the book is bound in photographically illustrated wrappers. The book is in Near Fine+ condition with a crease to the bottom corner of the front wrap and some minor soiling/surface wear. Overall, this is a highly collectible copy of a critically acclaimed photobook.

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

Photographs of the book 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.