'Gypsies' Arrives Chez TOP

Friends, the new edition of Gypsies from Aperture is a flat-out masterpiece of photography and bookmaking. I received mine yesterday and it is even better than I'd hoped. With the picture selection restored to the original intentions of the photographer and the original book designer, Milan Kopriva, and the reproduction quality raised to the best of modern standards by Gerhard Steidl, the work is made new.

Considered one of the photobook high points of the 20th century, the Robert Delpire edit still has its charms. But far from diluting the impact of the pictures in the older book, the opposite happens: if some of the older pictures are too well known, like great music that's been heard too many times, the new pictures add richness and context and both enliven and renew the better-known ones.

Many of the horizontals are two-page spreads, but few seem diminished by it in this case. And a number of horizontals are fold-outs, making the interruption a crease rather than a gather. The reproductions are large despite the modest size of the book. The paper is matt and the repro resembles photogravure in style and feel—quite different from the earlier book, yet even more appealing in my opinion.

For anyone interested in social documentary, an absolute must-have, and I can't see how any photographic library wouldn't be enriched by this. This edition will surely remain prized both by the market and by lovers of photography long after the new copies are gone. A superlative presentation of important work and a magnificent and wonderful achievement by all concerned. Very highly recommended.

Mike

Again:

Amazon link
Amazon U.K.
Our page for other links
Book Depository

P.S. Just as a point of interest, the repro prints for the book were made by our friend Voja Mitrovic.

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Original contents copyright 2011 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved.

Comments

[Michael Roche]

Say no more order placed

[John Krumm]

Sigh, OK, I spent too much this month, but I just ordered this... I'll save the Haas book for my Christmas list if it's still around.

[Aaron Dill]

I can't afford to buy everything that's recommended here, but a review that glowing sent one to me.

[Mike Potter]

*sigh, as well* I REALLY didn't need to spend any more money this month. Oh well, order placed via the Amazon link.

Have a wonderful weekend, Mike.

[Koen Lageveen]

And just weeks ago I figured I could stop buying books for a while. Now I've got three pre-orders going including this one and one other book just to fill up an order to be eligible for 'super-duper-saver-shipping' along with the Superheavy CD. If economic growth needs a push I want to make sure I did my part so to speak...

[Rob Atkins]

Sounds absolutely wonderful.

A note to Gerhard Steidl about reprints: Saul Leiter Early Color.

Bitte.

[Chuck Albertson]

I like this edition a lot more than the original. The "new" (added) photos tend to show that Koudelka really spent a lot of time with the Roma and was accepted or at least tolerated by them, whereas some of the photos in the original edition reflect some distance from the subjects. The double-page photos look good, too, because the book lays pretty flat when opened. Some photo books have a gutter that could swallow a small car, but this isn't one of them.

[Hendrik]

"For anyone interested in social documentary" and the gypsy topic in particular, "The Roma Journeys" by Dane Joakim Eskildsen make an interesting juxtaposition and companion. He travelled Hungary, India, Greece, Romania, France, Russia and Finland with a large format camera to document the life of Roma communities. You can view the pictures - actually I believe all of them - at http://www.joakimeskildsen.com/default.asp?Action=Menu&Item=99 Or see LensCulture's review and slideshow at http://www.lensculture.com/roma.html

It is quite a tome at 416 pages with 274 photographs (23.3 cm x 26.6 cm) and including a CD with recordings of Roma music. The production is immaculate (Steidl, again - do they do subscriptions?). The colour is strikingly beautiful, often in stark contrast to the circumstances they depicture. The detail in the shots from his Pentax 6x7 and Hasselblad a feast for the eyes.

Re: Saul Leiter Early Color
It's in Steidl's winter catalogue and is listed by several German booksellers as preorderable. Steidl doesn't give a month, but arrive it will - it's in the cue Mike mentioned the other day.

[Lawrence Plummer]

(sigh,,,,) This is becoming the Book of the Month club. Not that I'm complaining! The results are phenomenal.

[Mike Johnston]

"'The Roma Journeys' by Dane Joakim Eskildsen make an interesting juxtaposition and companion. He travelled Hungary, India, Greece, Romania, France, Russia and Finland with a large format camera to document the life of Roma communities. You can view the pictures..."

It must be amazing to be that talented. That guy is really good.

Mike

[marten]

OK, OK who am I to stop the book itch-I've ordered a copy as well! Just can't find an ointment to lessen the itch!

[Paul]

The Roma Journeys is just a smoking book.

I'm going to sound like a dolt here but I'm not nearly as psyched about the Koudelka book as I was anticipating. I really don't like the feel of the paper, very gritty and rough, it feels to me like some of the crappier matte papers I've tried. I feel like there was some varnish attempted on some of the pages but the ink is a little dull. I do like the pictures quite a bit but I think I was expecting more to be blown away. I like Koudelka a lot. But I'm confused.

Haven't spent enough time with it though. Perhaps I'll come around.

[Erik]

I couldn't agree more, Mike. I've never owned a photo book that felt so handcrafted and rich. This one will be cherished. Thank you for the recommendation.

[MartinP]

I saw that Gypsies was available for pre-order, so combined it with an order of a couple of translated Japanese books which will be ready at the end of October . . . Ooops, I hope there are some 'Gypsies' left by then!

I'm looking forwards to both deliverables :o)

[Mike Johnston]

Paul's and Erik's comments together make it clear that everything is still very much a matter of taste and personal appeal....

Mike

[scott kirkpatrick]

My copy just arrived. It's all true. I've only found one double-truck in which the slight gutter hurts the picture. My copy opens flat (after carefully flicking through partially opening it -- thanks Mike), and Koudelka seems to have a remarkable knack to keep the key faces ever so slightly off-balanced so that they never hit the dead center of the page.

The Eskildsen book sounds intriguing, too.

scott

[TF]

Mike (et al): Amazon/US says the title "has not yet been released" ... but obviously others are getting copies. But it looks like it can be ordered-- and is in stock--directly from Aperture? (I assume "not yet released" just means that Amazon has not received its allotment, right?)

[Mike Johnston]

TF,
Amazon has been shipping copies. I presume they're simply out of stock and are awaiting their next shipment. It's safe to order it from them--it's a new book and the supply won't have run out entirely so early.

Mike

[Tim Bradshaw]

I got my copy last night. I can't think of a better example of something which conclusively demonstrates that all the pixel-peeping my-lens-is-sharper-than-yours / my-pixels-are-better-and-more-numerous-than-yours / look-my-camera-can-resolve-shadow-detail-in-deep-space time-wasting is just that: time-wasting.

[Michael Roche]

Got my copy yesterday,must say I'm underwhelmed by it,I don't like the feel of the paper,very rough to the touch and resembles inkjet photographs on poor quality non photo paper.
Also I find the lack of captions or some information other than a date of each print rather annoying.
The Will Guy essay is rather good,but doe's not make up for the lack of some individual detail on the photographs.Just my opinion obviously others may not agree.
Michael