Amazon.com: 2002-2008 Great Contemporary Photography/Art books (good investments!)

2002-2008 Great Contemporary Photography/Art books (good investments!)
A Listmania! list by Dan Harris "Dan Harris" (Hollywood, CA, USA)	Share with Friends
The list author says: "( updated September 24 + 1 new book added (Engstrom....)) I'll be updating this list as much as I can - I should have made it months ago, back when most of these things were in print. But I'll try my best to be ahead of the curve again. These are GREAT photo/art monographs/collections from 2007 and 2008 (and earlier) that are (in my opinion) Classics - future and past. CHECK OUT MY LIST of 'Books About Photo-Books' - a list of the essential PARR/ROTH volumes that detail the history of the industry and recommend hundreds of amazing books, some of which are below Things go out of print FAST; my general rule of thumb is you should NEVER buy a book with art you don't connect with; that being said - if you're smart about it you should rarely have something that depreciates in value. Check out the blog 5B4 for professional collectors points of view - it's an incredible resource. (First buy Martin Parr's 'History of the Photobook' Vol. 1+2 - found by clicking my name and that list) If you're looking at this list for the first time, IMMEDIATELY buy the reprint of 'Sleeping by the Mississippi' and 'The Americans'. Then you'll start out with 2 absolute classics of this century and last; direct descendants of each other. Two books that are a foundation for any library - the BEST of the lens pointed America - are both being reprinted now. To me, they'll never be unwanted and being in limited press runs still... those 2 books are a safer investment than oil! ((Please feel free to email me at dan(AT)minordemons.com with any questions or suggestions... put re:AMAZON-LIST or something in the subject so I recognize it (get SO much spam... probably more for putting it down here!"))"

1. Harry Gruyaert: Edges by Harry Gruaert

The list author says:
	"My copy of this arrived today. It's gorgeous, conceptual - very impressive. Even though we're looking at something (a horizon) that exists in every photograph, somehow this time there's so much soul to each one... buy it!!"

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2. J.H. Engstrom: CDG/JHE by Greger Nilson

The list author says:
	"This book is gorgeous - I've loved Engstrom ever since seeing his incredible 'Trying to Dance' - a book I still don't own ($$!). This is the third book in the trilogy which includes Haunts - and something tells me (you'll see) that it's (more than) a special collection of work."

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3. Dash Snow: The End of Living, the Beginning of Survival by Anna Berger

The list author says:
	"Incredible production - and the work is (in my opinion) so much more interesting than his artists books! I had heard a lot about Snow but didn't know much about his work ... after flipping through this book I'm eager to see the rest of his career. And btw this will be a >$1,000 classic in a few years. Find one now! (It's only going up)"

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4. A Road Trip Journal by Stephen Shore

The list author says:
	"WOW!! I was not expecting something this great from Phaidon (or the concept)... but when I first saw the book in person, I was blown away. It's a MUST-HAVE for any collector - or any fan of color or an ERA. Exceptionally printed (the best ever Shore reproductions), HUGE, signed, numbered, comprehensive... certain to win awards and be out of print in a week!"

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5. Jeff Koons by Ingrid Sischy

The list author says:
	"BUY ASAP (if you can afford it). Publishing mistake. GREAT BOOK on GREAT ARTIST who has NO (special, comprehensive) BOOKS. Only printed 1,500 copies, book has production value for a book that costs $5,000. presale-$1000=Sold out! Taschen tried to cancel orders and play dirty, but- too late. woops! $3,000 list now (sold out), but worth 2x that"

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6. Sleeping by the Mississippi by Alec Soth

The list author says:
	"The most universally lauded 'new classic' photography book of this century is being reprinted. Prior to the announcement of this, copies of the 1st edition were selling for $1,000 and 2nd were $500. This is the rare book that defines a new wave, and thus it has a home on ALL bookshelves. Probably the book most guaranteed success that I've ever seen."

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7. Hedi Slimane: Rock Diary by Vince Aletti

The list author says:
	"This is a gorgeously-produced 3 book set of Slimane's work. There is more material and design in this box set than in any of his other books... of which 2/3 have cracked the $1,000 barrier."

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8. Saul Leiter by Saul Leiter

The list author says:
	"This book is in its second printing, but even copies of that haven't really made it to major markets. Leiter's color work is beautiful and more important than it looks... his contemporaries, many of photography's greats like Helen Levitt - never even touched color."

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9. Blood on Paper: The Art of the Book by Elena Foster

The list author says:
	"GORGEOUS publication on artists books - an artists book itself and an exhibition catalog for an exhibit in London (about artists books) It's a large linen box, blind stamped, contains 30 folded leaves, each a different artist; an unbound rainbow book itself. A TRIUMPH (IN DESIGN - though not very comprehensive.) Having just come back from the museum show - it is OUT OF PRINT."

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10. On the Beach by Richard Misrach

The list author says:
	"Notice my review on this book - it was obvious it was going to be 'the book' of the year... People are being hesitant about it now - but grab it for any price under $250 or so. In any other system, this book would RETAIL for $250 -- so it's still a steal (and the size of a coffee table)."

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11. Come Again by Robert Frank

The list author says:
	"Wow. The coolest and most interestingly produced new Robert Frank book from two years ago quickly sold out and (rightly) became a $250 item. Now it's back in a second printing -- or is it? I can't find a mark anywhere that differs from my 1st. Hmm� In any case buy one for yourself and then one for every gift you plan to give this year. It's a miracle that this book is $25 now."

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12. Koudelka by Robert Delpire

The list author says:
	"THE monograph on this GREAT Master Photographer. It went out of print really fast! -- though copies can still be found if you look closely. The book is incredible in every way and will be the defining 'greatest hits' book of his career. A++ for investment as well."

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13. An American Index of the Hidden and Unfamiliar by Althea Wasow

The list author says:
	"One of the most amazing photo books ever made. Flawless, smart, gorgeous, FASCINATING. I bought 20 of these just because I loved them, to give as gifts - I have 4 left. (BACK IN PRINT - for the second edition -- which seems to be more limited than the first. ie: not in stacks in stores. It'll be gone too soon.)"

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14. The Americans by Robert Frank

The list author says:
	"Every time 'The Americans', the most important photography monograph of the 20th century, is published - it ends up going out of print and becoming hard to find and very expensive. For the first time we are being treated to a new copy overseen from head to toe by the master, Robert Frank, himself. And it's too cheap! Buy many!"

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15. Paul Graham: A Shimmer of Possibility (12 Books Set) by Paul Graham

The list author says:
	"Don't be fooled by the expensive price -- you actually get 12 hardcover books for the set - and they are not attached to eachother. This is Graham's masterpiece in bookmaking, and has been the talk of photography book circles for months. It's not sold out yet only because of the price - but it is a good price for the book. Only 1,000 copies were printed."

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16. Exercise at Home by Luke Smalley

The list author says:
	"The striking, glossy, young homoerotic work in this book is the best thing he's ever done. It retailed at $50.00 and if you look closely, you can still find it for that price, BUT- If you can afford it, TopChoicebooks(.com) sells the Deluxe Edition - which comes with an incredible print in a cloth clamshell - edition of 50, signed and numbered. Tell him Dan sent you!"

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17. Angela Strassheim: Left Behind by Jean Dykstra

The list author says:
	"This book is gorgeous and really shows off the promise of a great new young photographer. The retail price is very low, and it comes in in bursts -- buy it when you can. Also, dig harder to find copies. They exist, but only if you ask the right places. The book is worth $200-$250, but you don't have to spend that to get it."

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18. Frank Breuer: Poles by Marcus Verhagen

The list author says:
	"Besides the book being cool, glossy, gorgeous, and brilliant - this disciple of the Bechers has put out a thin volume that is clearly special. Expect it to be 10 times the price in 6-10 months."

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19. 5x7 by William Eggleston (Photographer)

The list author says:
	"Eggelston's been on a roll recently, but this is a better book than the 2nd printing of 'Los Alamos'. Until very recently you could pick up copies from Amazon - but its sold out nearly everywhere else. Keep looking -- this is a classic and will be a $250 book in a year or two."

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20. Philip-Lorca diCorcia by Bennett Simpson

The list author says:
	"This slim inexpensive exhibition catalogue for diCorcia's semi-retrospective has suddenly disappeared from the shelves (ala Steidl style) -- online. Find it at home; your local Barnes and Noble should have a copy or two left... until they are sold!"

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21. Rineke Dijkstra: Beach Portraits by Rineke Dijkstra

The list author says:
	"Finding this book anywhere below $250 is a STEAL. The book is gorgeous, a classic, and will quickly be back to hovering around its normal $500 price point."

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22. The Berliner Ensemble Thanks You All by Marcel Dzama

The list author says:
	"Berlin years 1st ed: $1,000 - Berlin years 2nd: $150-400. This is the 'third' edition of the series, even though its really the sequel. What you get is a portfolio of awesomely printed dzama art, a facsimile of his sketchbook, and--the chance to pull out a REAL drawing (they have been randomly inserted). So you'll have to buy 2 - and don't open one!"

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23. Eikoh Hosoe: Kamaitachi by Shuzo Takiguchi

The list author says:
	"I believe this is a steal for <$1,500. A huge glossy clamshell (by Taddanori Yokoo) holds a gorgeous reprint of Hosoe's masterpiece (next to Barakei), a silk-screened book that is made up entirely of gatefold-pages that are blue on the outside. The dark storytelling makes this a jaw dropping piece of art."

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24. The Park by Kohei Yoshiyuki

The list author says:
	"This reprint of the Japanese classic was one of the best books of the year - and just went out of print. Yossi Milo did a great job on this worthy hardcover. One of the top 10 most important Japanese photobooks, it was far too expensive to find until now. But not for long..."

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25. Olaf Otto Becker: Broken Line by Gerry Badger

The list author says:
	"A stunning book that will take your breath away - a rare combination of beauty, sadness, and nature. It's a meditation on the melting caps, glaciers - a visual essay on the docks and homes on lakes that are no longer lakes. The book had a smallish print run. Buy it now - his previous, smaller monograph wasn't as good and is now 5 times the price. This will be a classic."

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26. Paul Shambroom: Picturing Power by Diane Mullin

The list author says:
	"This book was just released, but it's fantastic, and something tells me that it will be gone in a month or two, and a major collector's item by the end of the year. It brings together several of Shambroom's amazing series into one book."

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27. Andreas Gursky by Thomas Weski

The list author says:
	"ALL GURSKY BOOKS eventually become collector's items. This one's no different The odd thing is that it's still available for the list price from Amazon US. The copies designated for the rest of the world (80% of the print run) have already sold out - and there the book is running 200-250. It's another gorgeous collection of his work, printed beautifully, and with six different covers!"

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28. Garry Winogrand: The Animals by John Szarkowski

The list author says:
	"Garry Winogrand is a genius, and one of my favorite photographers of all time. And one by one, his books have ALL gone out of print. But THE ANIMALS - which is also a reprint - far better than the original - has just only very recently gone out of print. So if you can find any copies for under $75, grab them. It's an amazing book and you won't be disappointed."

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29. Greg Gorman: Just Between Us by Greg Gorman

The list author says:
	"This OUT OF PRINT book is incredible and very x-rated (NOT for kids!). But it's also fascinating, and does something special in a way that no one has ever done. It's a modern day gay classic, and its publisher has gone out of business. Its one solid investment.. and a great book."

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30. David Smith: A Centennial by David Smith

The list author says:
	"Another home run from Guggenheim. No one publishes a better mid-career retrospective than them... If you are a David Smith fan, this book is a must-have - published just a few months ago, it's large and delicate - already 2x the price and will be gone forever soon."

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31. Richard Prince by Nancy Spector

The list author says:
	"Buy the HARDCOVER, 1st edition version of this book - the ONLY survey of Prince's work that attempts to bring most of his styles under one roof. A great book to learn about this genius artist, and a book that will be on every gallerists library wall. Now that it's moved to paperback, the hardcover copies have begun to disappear. (this is the companion to Rosenquist)"

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32. Hokkaido by Michael Kenna

The list author says:
	"I'm not a huge Michael Kenna fan - but I respect his work when it's a real production about a specific thing. I only wish he would turn his camera on something living to try and pull its beauty out. As beautiful as Japan was, Hokkaido is almost like its twin brother. Thin Maple boards in a slipcase make this a gorgeous work."

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33. Drawing Restraint Volume IV by Matthew Barney

The list author says:
	"Just like 'Drawing Restraint 7' - which actually came out first, Barney's Volume 4 far surpasses the production methods and quality of the other copies, and is already out of print. There are still a few copies left at $75 - from the publisher (through Amazon's system), and that's a steal. When they're gone - they're gone... and $250-300..."

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34. Deconstructing Osama: The Truth About the Case of Manbaa Mokfhi by Joan Fontcuberta

The list author says:
	"Grab this book if you can - it's quite a ride, and probably nothing like you would expect. It's also leatherbound...!"

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35. Beneath The Roses by Gregory Crewdson

The list author says:
	"Much like 'On the Beach' - the production quality and enormous SIZE of this great book means that it won't be around for very long. And right now it's very cheap."

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36. Gregory Crewdson: Fireflies by Gregory Crewdson

The list author says:
	"Fireflies dipped down in price (the recession hits the book market) and has made it 1/4 to 1/2 the price that it solidly was for the last 18 months. Now is the time to buy - ANY copies under 125-150. One of America's best contemporary photographers shows a different side."

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37. Bernhard Fuchs: Autos by Bernhard Fuchs

The list author says:
	"A great, HUGE book that was published in a small run of 500 at a price of 100$. It's Martin Parr's favorite book of 2007, and it's a great book to collect. Certain to be worth twice its price in a few months."

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38. Robert Frank: Storylines by Ian Penman

The list author says:
	"Another Robert Frank book - this substantial book JUST went out of print (again) - grab it while you can afford it. Either it will never be seen again or it'll get reprinted again -- either way, it's something you should have, and a great pairing with The Americans and Come Again."

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39. Inferno by James Nachtwey

The list author says:
	"This huge tome is a heartbreaking classic. And it's still far too affordable for what you get back -- a great piece of art in itself; perhaps the most important of all the books on this list."