Not long after I published Geoff Wittig's recent review of Alfred Stieglitz: Photographs and Writings, I was surprised to receive the following email from one Chris Green:
In 1983, four or five lifetimes ago it seems, I was the production director for Callaway Editions when the Stieglitz Photographs and Writings book was created. I spent many weeks of very long days working closely with Steve Stinehour and his team at the Meriden Gravure Co. in Meriden, Connecticut and the Stinehour Press in Lunenburg, Vermont.
I did all of the press supervision, working directly from the Stieglitz originals, as well as a wide variety of other tasks related to the production of the first edition, first and second printings. This book was truly a labor of love by people we considered the best in the business.
I’ve kept 10 sealed copies of the first printing of the first edition for the last 25 years, waiting for an opportunity to find good homes for them with people who will enjoy and appreciate them. The books are in their original shrink-wrap inside their original sealed shipping cartons. They have never been opened since they were created. Having read the recent review and discussion on your site about a recent version of the book, it occurs to me that some of your readers might give these first editions good homes.
I’m not interested in trying to make a lot of money from these books. It’s not about the money. It’s about finding knowledgeable people who will appreciate them for their extraordinary quality.
I just did an inflation check on the Web. Given the books’ original MSRP of $125.00 (1983 dollars), their equivalent sticker price today would be [$251.75 to $262.22 based on several inflation calculators].
I am willing to sell these books for $250 each, plus shipping (and tax for NJ residents). This seems like a fair price to me, and I cannot, in good conscience, simply give them away for $50.
Yes, there have been many, many reprints of this book since the first edition, and there are many variant versions which are readily available at relatively low prices. Having said that, though, these are the real deal, and these are the only ones where the printing was constantly monitored against the originals.
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This happens from time to time in book collecting—a true stash of pristine originals shows up and come on the market ever so briefly. I mentioned earlier that I happen to have a first edition of this book in my own library already, so I passed along Chris's offer to several photographer, book dealer, and book collector friends, and several people, including Michael Reichmann and Geoff Wittig himself, have each claimed one.
...But there should still be five or six left. $250 is a lot of money for a book, but it's an excellent price for a pristine first edition of this one. Chris has offered to include with each book a letter of provenance restating the information from his email above, which can only add to the interest of the books.
If you'd like to commit to buy one, please leave a comment, and I'll forward them to Chris in the order received. (T.O.P. isn't taking a cut or handing the exchange—you'll deal directly with him.)
_________________________
Mike
P.S. To answer the inevitable question, yes, if it were me, I'd definitely crack open the packaging and tear off the plastic and look at the book. It might be worth slightly more as an investment in its original packaging—who knows?—but what's the use of owning a fine book if you can't look at it? Even a rare old bottle of wine should one day be raised in a toast among friends and tasted.
NOTE: I have forwarded the first thirteen or so names along to Chris, for what I believe are six available copies of the book. (The emails came in too rapidly for me to do better than that.) Even if several people don't follow through, they're probably all gone now. Thank you for your interest, and I'm sorry if you missed the opportunity!
I'd like one if they are still available.
Thanks,
Rukesh
Posted by: Rukesh Korde | Thursday, 13 December 2007 at 10:00 AM
It would be an honor to clear a spot on my bookshelf for this book. I will buy one if available. Thank you.
--Mark
Posted by: Mark Saperstein | Thursday, 13 December 2007 at 10:19 AM
Please forward my name to Chris as well.
Posted by: James Whitaker | Thursday, 13 December 2007 at 10:23 AM
Mike,
Put me down for one please.
Thanks,
Geoff
Posted by: Geoff McCann | Thursday, 13 December 2007 at 10:26 AM
Hello Mike,
I'm interested to own/purchase a copy of the Alfred Stieglizt book. Please forward my request to Chris.
Thank you.
Alan Valencia
Posted by: Alan Valencia | Thursday, 13 December 2007 at 10:36 AM
I'll take one if there's any left.
Posted by: Terry | Thursday, 13 December 2007 at 10:56 AM
I would love to have one. Please put me down, if I am not too late.
Nigel
Posted by: Nigel | Thursday, 13 December 2007 at 11:00 AM
I'd like one
Posted by: Mark Hobson | Thursday, 13 December 2007 at 11:03 AM
I would LOVE to have one of these if they are still available! Wow, I can't wait. And yes, I don't think I could keep it sealed, I would definitely have to open this beauty - hope that isn't a problem with Chris. Please let me know, thanks!
Posted by: Mark Johnson | Thursday, 13 December 2007 at 11:03 AM
Please add me to the list of those wanting this rarity.
Posted by: John Matthews | Thursday, 13 December 2007 at 11:05 AM
I´d like to purchase this book if still available. Thanks!
Posted by: Andreas Suchert | Thursday, 13 December 2007 at 11:06 AM
On the subject of expensive books, Kevin Lynch is releasing 600 copies of Octagon. It's photos from the UFC's fighters (inside and outside of the cage, before after fights).
20.5x26 inches and over 800 photos.
450 Collectors copies will be sold at $2500 each, and 150 Deluxe collectors copies will be sold for $7500 each.
http://www.octagon-book.com/
I'm in the wrong field.
Posted by: Jamie | Thursday, 13 December 2007 at 11:18 AM
NOTE: I believe all the copies are spoken for and then some. I will pass all the names along to Chris but unless you were in the first five or six you might be disappointed. Thanks for your interest!
Best regards,
Mike J.
Posted by: Mike | Thursday, 13 December 2007 at 11:20 AM