Philippe Halsman's Jump Book [Paperback]

Philippe Halsman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 5, 1986

Where other portraitists were content to have their subjects sit for them, Philippe Halsman had his jump, an action which he felt caused the real self of his illustrious sitters to come out. Famous sitters included in the book are Marilyn Monroe, Grace Kelly, Brigitte Bardot and Richard Nixon.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Halsman, who had 101 Life covers to his credit when he died in 1979, felt a portrait that did not show psychological insight was "an empty likeness" of its subject. Rolleiflex in hand and tongue in cheek, he invented his own Rorschach test--"jumpology"--and talked his subjects into becoming airborne in the interest of science. Richard Nixon, Aldous Huxley, Marilyn Monroe, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor are among the celebrities he launches into orbit.

From Publishers Weekly

A portrait photographer for Life magazine in the 1950s, Halsman asked many of his subjects to jump for his camera. Here are shots of 191 celebrities in the air, ranging from the Duke and Duchess of Windsor to John Steinbeck. This edition also includes previously unpublished shots, of Lucille Ball and Art Carney among others. A delightful exercise.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams (October 5, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810923386
• ISBN-13: 978-0810923386
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,107,660 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Jump" On This Book!, April 25, 2000

By 

Lee Kanne - See all my reviews

This review is from: Philippe Halsman's Jump Book (Paperback)

Philippe Halsman's Jump Book is not just for people who love photography. Oh no - no matter who you are, what your age, sex or nationality is, you will love this book. It has everything, from actors to politicians to artists and even royalty - up in the air!

Each person has his own way of jumping. One hides her legs in her skirt, the other bends them and yet a third person will kick them as high as possible. I think each person's jump tells us a little bit about who he or she is, really. Each jump also has its own setting -some are indoors and some are outdoors, each person picking the place they want to be photographed at.

The book is divided into sections, which makes it easy to compare people's jumps with their peers'.

This is for the open-minded, as it is not your regular "straight" photography.If you're interested in more convetional pictures, I recommend Halsman's Portrait book, which is also beautiful.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a hoot!, August 31, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Philippe Halsman's Jump Book (Paperback)

This is the perfect coffee table book (If you still have a coffee table). It has great pictures of famous people jumping.

I ran accross this book back in the late 80's can I gave it to a friend. She loved it and I have been looking for a copy ever since for myself. I finally found it at Amazon.

The picture of Nixon jumping is priceless. He looks happy! This is my second favorite picture Nixon (Nixon and Elvis is #1). These are unique pictures taken by a master photographer -- Priceless.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic., August 25, 2002

By 

"[e-mail]" (Austin, TX USE) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Philippe Halsman's Jump Book (Paperback)

What else can I say? It's lightweight material (but you knew that), but this book documents a bygone era in a unique and unforgettable way. There are many images in the book that alone are worth the purchase price. In particular I like the photo of all of the Eisenhower brothers caught in the midst of cracking up over a good joke.