Gitans. La Fin Du Voyage by Josef Koudelka, First Edition

Gitans. La Fin Du Voyage (Gypsies. The End of the Journey) by Josef Koudelka

First Edition, First Printing, 1975

This is a scarce first edition, first printing of Koudelka’s critically acclaimed photobook “Gitans. La Fin Du Voyage” published by Delphire, Paris in 1975 that was released simultaneously with an English version by Aperture, New York. Commenting on “Gitans" noted curator and photography writer John Szarkowski wrote, “Koudelka's photographs aim at a distillation of a pattern of human values: a pattern that involves large gesture, brave style, precious camaraderie and bitter loneliness. The pattern and texture of his pictures form the silent equivalent of an epic drama”. The British Journal of Photography stated, "Koudelka is the most potent and powerful photographer alive today. His black-and-white photographs are so highly charged, so strong in their visual impact, and so haunted that they defy description". Parr & Badger in ““The Photobook: A History” add, “Gitans sealed Koudleka’s reputation as one of the finest photographers still utilizing the humanist documentary mode… Koudelka offers a vision both melodramatic and tragic, serious in the best sense of the word.”

Featuring 60 powerful black-and-white photogravure plates and measuring approximately 11” x 12”, the book is bound in brown cloth covered boards with a photographically illustrated dust jacket. The book is in FINE condition in a Near Fine+ dust jacket with edge and surface wear. Overall, this is an exceptional copy of a critically acclaimed photobook that is becoming increasingly scarce.

Cited in both “The Photobook: A History” by Parr & Badger and “The Open Book” by Andrew Roth

Photographs of the dust jacket cover as well as a few 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.