Harlem Document by Aaron Siskind, First Edition

Harlem Document: Photographs 1932 - 1940 by Aaron Siskind

First Edition, First Printing, 1981

This is a first edition, first printing of “Harlem Document: Photographs 1932 - 1940” published by Matrix, Providence in 1981 with photographs by Aaron Siskind and text from the Federal Writers Project.  Although primarily know for his abstract photography, Aaron Siskind demonstrates in this book that he is also a remarkable documentary photographer. In the forward to the book, Gordon Parks wrote, “Aaron Siskind's Harlem Document, a mirror of my own past, speaks explicitly for itself…It is an ongoing memory of Black people living in crowded kitchenettes; suffering the loneliness of rented bedrooms; praying in leftover churches, and grasping a patch of happiness whenever and wherever they could find it."

Containing 51 black-and-white photographs and measuring approximately 8” x 8.5”, the book is bound in stiff wrappers in a photographically illustrated dust jacket. The condition of the book is FINE. The dust jacket is in Near FINE+ condition with minor surface wear and soiling.

Photographs of the front 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.