Haskins' seminal sixties classics, which include the groundbreaking Cowboy Kate, are landmarks in the history of photography, as revered today as they were when first published forty years ago. In Cowboy Kate, a lyrical tale of the triumph of youth played out by cowgirls of the old west, Haskins reinvented the genre of the nude with stunningly well-executed photographs, a cinematic approach, and a subtly engaging narrative. Often copied but rarely equaled, Haskins has an exceptional ability to photograph women with a sensitivity that has won him accolades from men and women alike. The "Director's Cut" is revised to include new and previously unpublished photographs.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
"Cowboy Kate and other stories by Sam Haskins is one sexy coffee table book." -- 12/15/06 BRAVO TV
"The update gives new life to the Haskins's enchanting and grainy ode to the female form, making it a must-have for photography and fashion lovers alike". -- Mar07 DEPARTURES
"When photographer Sam Haskins published his most famous book, Cowboy Kate and Other Stories, in 1964, it was a pioneering work, blending an extended visual narrative with an artful use of black-and-white tones and subtly erotic, peek-a-boo nudity. First published in Europe, the book sold out several international editions, went out of print in the late 1960s, and became prized as a collector's item."
"The update gives new life to the Haskins's enchanting and grainy ode to the female form, making it a must-have for photography and fashion lovers alike". -- Mar07 DEPARTURES
"When photographer Sam Haskins published his most famous book, Cowboy Kate and Other Stories, in 1964, it was a pioneering work, blending an extended visual narrative with an artful use of black-and-white tones and subtly erotic, peek-a-boo nudity. First published in Europe, the book sold out several international editions, went out of print in the late 1960s, and became prized as a collector's item."
But this fall Cowboy Kate is back: Rizzoli has brought out a "Director's Cut" version of the book, complete with digitally restored plates and several never-seen images that Haskins has added to the mix. American Photo recently talked with the 81-year-old photographer -- who began his career in London and now lives in Australia -- about the new Cowboy Kate, modern times, and his varied career in photography -- Oct06 PHOTO DISTRICT NEWS
-- "...remains one of the most coveted, collected and influential photography books of the swinging '60s...includes previously unpublished photographs selected by Haskins himself." -- Nov06 PAPERCITY MAGAZINE HOUSTON
American Photo's David Schonauer writes, "My second award goes to New York magazine, (cover date: August 28), which ran a brilliant fashion feature on page 76, shot by the famed 1960s photographer Sam Haskins. The story is called "Honey, Can I Borrow This?" and it's about men's clothes that chic women like to wear. The images are sexy, sophisticated, and in a class by themselves. Congratulations to photography director Jody Quon. See Haskins's pictures here.Incidentally, this fall Rizzoli books is bringing out a new version of Haskin's famed book Cowboy Kate and Other Stories. First published in 1964, the original is now a pricey collectors item. The new version is called a "Director's Cut," and it's priced at $45". -- Sep06 NEW YORK MAGAZINE
".....finding a certain comfort and familiarity in the heft and subtle texture of the cover and gilded lettering." -- SHELTER INTERIORS, April, 2007
"....Part memoir, part how-to-guide, this work invites you into Cater's homes... -- TOWN & COUNTRY, December, 2006
"This beautiful book is chock-full of the peeling and romantic furnishings, books and mementos Carter surrounds herself with." -- PAPERCITY MAGAZINE HOUSTON, November, 2006
About the Author
Sam Haskins has seven best-selling books to his credit: Five Girls, Cowboy Kate (Prix Nadar, 1964), African Image, November Girl, Haskins Posters (Gold Medal of the New York Art Directors Club, 1973), Photo Graphics (Kodak Book of the Year, 1980), and Haskins a Bologna. Haskins will be the subject of a solo exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra, Australia, in December 2006. Philippe Garner is a specialist in photography and director at Christies in London. Norman Hall, a highly respected writer on photography, wrote the original introduction.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Years ago, I caught an article about Sam Haskins in Photo magazine. It talked much about the man and his work, and since reading that article I was dead set on finding a copy of "Cowboy Kate" Unfortunately, the book was out of print and the cost of obtaining a copy was substantially high for my budget. So there it remained on my wish list for years. Fortunately, I occasionally checked amazon to see if maybe the price would go down. And it did, and I bought.
This book is filled with vintage erotic photography. By vintage I mean the 60's and by erotic, I don't really mean erotic at all. The images are all black and white, usually very high contrast and grain... a style that I have always loved. The images will undoubtedly come off as alluring and sexual because of the beautiful women and nudity. It comes off very sexual at times, but I believe that it was done in such a way that it can't even really be deemed "erotic" Haskins approached the subjects in such a noble way, it dodges the overly graphic, and often blatantly pornographic erotic books that many of us are used to seeing in the art books section. They are simply beautiful images that deserve long, appreciative looks. The photographs for me are absolutely timeless. Many can probably conclude the general time period in which they were photographed, but it still remains (to me) as fresh as anything that might have been photographed yesterday without the addition of the sex drive requirements that seem to be the standard these days.
There are a few different bodies of work included in this book. My favorite is probably Cowboy Kate (cover image) but the other images also show for themselves. In a way, the bodies of work speak as a narrative... not so much frame to frame, but it tells a story as a whole. The girls are obviously comfortable in front of the camera, often playful and extroverted. Everything feels very natural and nothing seems forced. It doesn't feel like a photo shoot captured and laid out in a book for consumers.
Unfortunately a few of my favorite Haskins photographs are not included in this book, but there are many others that make up for it. A great book to own. Get it before it goes out of print (again).
This book is filled with vintage erotic photography. By vintage I mean the 60's and by erotic, I don't really mean erotic at all. The images are all black and white, usually very high contrast and grain... a style that I have always loved. The images will undoubtedly come off as alluring and sexual because of the beautiful women and nudity. It comes off very sexual at times, but I believe that it was done in such a way that it can't even really be deemed "erotic" Haskins approached the subjects in such a noble way, it dodges the overly graphic, and often blatantly pornographic erotic books that many of us are used to seeing in the art books section. They are simply beautiful images that deserve long, appreciative looks. The photographs for me are absolutely timeless. Many can probably conclude the general time period in which they were photographed, but it still remains (to me) as fresh as anything that might have been photographed yesterday without the addition of the sex drive requirements that seem to be the standard these days.
There are a few different bodies of work included in this book. My favorite is probably Cowboy Kate (cover image) but the other images also show for themselves. In a way, the bodies of work speak as a narrative... not so much frame to frame, but it tells a story as a whole. The girls are obviously comfortable in front of the camera, often playful and extroverted. Everything feels very natural and nothing seems forced. It doesn't feel like a photo shoot captured and laid out in a book for consumers.
Unfortunately a few of my favorite Haskins photographs are not included in this book, but there are many others that make up for it. A great book to own. Get it before it goes out of print (again).
12 of 15 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Killer Cowboy Kate, Beauty and Art have never been so mutually exclusive.
October 20, 2006
Format:Hardcover
Buy this book now, It's going to be devoured by those in the know and it will cost you a fortune! Ethereal and magical are one way to describe Sam Haskins photos, also sexy and fabulous are good adjectives. It would be hard to choose. I ordered this book knowing that it was, and is, a classic, but had no idea of the impact these photos would have. You can tell by the cover that you are in for an emotionally charged ride that you will never forget. There is a slim narrative running throughout these photos, but you as the viewer are allowed to create your own story , and what a story it is. Kate and her cohorts are iconic babes that transcend the 60's. The girl's sheer beauty and playfulness will make you gasp, and even chuckle at their bodaciousness. I won't give away any secrets, but the photo's are remastered and gloriously beautiful. You..must...order...now!
6 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By Petunia
Format:Hardcover
The book was very well put together. However, I am not familiar with the original, so I cannot proclaim any differences. I bought this book because I am a fan of photography and thought it would be artistically fun and sexy, and it is! It's a lot more blatently erotic than I expected. Something I didn't expect to discover from this book is that I don't really like the twiggy beauty from the 60s. But for those who do, this book is what you're looking for. There are some great artistic efforts with lighting and composition. Very impressive black and whites.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
who to be MORE envious of - sam or kate?
I bought a new camera recently which renewed my interest in photography and sparked my re-discovery of this book. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Desert Gypsy
5.0 out of 5 stars
bill
Great book ... Somehow different from the first edition with more picture even if you could prefer the old edition... Both are collectible..
Published on May 31, 2009 by bill
5.0 out of 5 stars
An all Time Masterpiece
I'll never forget being knocked off my feet in the sixties by the freshness, frankness, imagination, lack of inhibition and striking beauty of Cowboy Kate. Read more
Published on September 7, 2007 by Paul Sherr
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