Edward Weston Book Offer

We've got a nice special offer for you this morning. I'm not great at tooting the horn on my own bridge, but this is absolutely exclusive to TOP—nobody gets this but you.

Edward Weston: Life Work was published by Michael A. Smith and Paula Chamlee of Lodima Press in 2004. The occasion was a major exhibition of Edward Weston prints from the collection of Michael P. Mattis and Judith G. Hochberg. Here's a snip from the book description:

Edward Weston: Life Work is a 110-photograph survey of this great American artist. Containing photographs from all phases of Weston’s long and varied career, from his first nude in 1909 to his final landscape at Point Lobos, California, in 1948, previously unpublished masterpieces are interspersed with his well-known signature images.

To create the book to accompany the exhibition, Lodima went "all in." There's no better way to put it. Michael simply decided to do whatever was required to make the reproductions as close to the originals as possible.

No expense was spared—the printing cost the better part of $170,000. The book reproductions are the same size as the originals, and Michael went to fanatical lengths to reproduce every detail of the originals, including color and surface. To give you an example, on several occasions they flew to the locations where the exhibit was showing in order to compare the printer's proofs directly to the originals on the wall. The printer was Salto of Belgium, the only printer in the world that works with 600-line screen quadtone (with a fifth ink—to match the print color on Weston's early prints—which had never been done before. And the book uses two different kinds of paper, with a softer matte paper used to match the papers Weston used early in his career). I haven't actually tried this myself, but Michael tells me you can't even see the printing dot pattern with a loupe. I can relay a couple of nice stories about the book's over-the-top printing quality, but I'll do that in a later post.

The book was a success, earning extravagant and widespread praise. It has now nearly sold out, and is no longer available from Amazon; only a few hundred copies remain, available only from the publisher.

As the supply of books dwindles, the price goes up...Lodima's standard practice. Published at $195, the book now costs $225. The final 80 to 100 copies have been set aside as "new old stock" to be sold in the future at $1,000 a copy.

But here's the thing—Michael and Paula are friends, and Michael's the guy who's going to be helping me publish TOP's own books. As we were chatting about how to introduce Lodima Press to TOP's readership, I asked if he'd be willing to offer one of Lodima's books to you for a reduced price, and Michael ("Why just 'a' book? Why not our Edward Weston book?") said he'd be willing to offer a limited number of copies of Edward Weston: Life Work to TOP readers for a discount. I asked how much a discount, and he said, "It's up to you. The book has already paid for itself." (Honest.)

So, for a limited time, and for a limited number of copies, you can order Edward Weston: Life Work for $140, plus only $12 shipping within the U.S.

(Michael later told me $150 was a low as he was willing to go, but that the number I picked was close enough.)

$140 is $85 off the current price, which I think is 37.7%. (You'll recall that I'm arithmetic-challenged.)

The book is available to international purchasers too, but it's big, and it's heavy—international shipping will be substantial. No help for it. At least you're not being left out....

So here's how to order—

[Information removed—books sold out on Friday, Oct. 26th at 9:10 p.m.]

•     •     •

Okay, now there's one more wrinkle to this deal. Lodima also published 100 slipcased deluxe editions of the book, each of which comes with a modern original print of Tina Modotti's famous portrait of Edward and costs $750. Fewer than 30 of these remain, and Michael has agreed to make up to ten of them available to interested TOP readers for $500. Email him for details about this, and be sure to mention that you came from TOP. On the checkout page, the code to enter is TOP250.

I'll write more later about my impressions of the book, and add some more comments about the superlative reproduction quality. But this is long enough for now. Suffice it to say, whether you're a longtime Weston book collector or you want one good Weston title in your library, you'll love this. Would I steer you wrong?

More anon—

Mike

UPDATE 9:05 a.m.: They're being swamped, so if you've written them an email inquiry and haven't gotten a reply, don't worry, your email will be answered eventually in the order it was received.

UPDATE #2 12:10 a.m. Friday: The publisher's site appears to be down. I'll look into it and let you know what's going on tomorrow morning.

UPDATE #3 2:30 p.m. Friday: The shopping cart was back up and working this morning. Several people have asked about the security of Lodima's online ordering—what I'm told is that they are currently in the process of applying for encryption certification, but that the site is secure—half of each credit card number is sent to them separately in a separate email. I'll see if I can get more specific information later, but I'm being assured there is no problem with security.

UPDATE #4 9:15 p.m. Friday: Sold out. There are still several copies of the deluxe edition available; if you're interested, please email Michael at info@lodimapress.com.

Thanks to all, and we hope you enjoy your book!

 

Original contents copyright 2012 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved. Links in this post may be to our affiliates; sales through affiliate links may benefit this site.

(To see all the comments, click on the "Comments" link below.)
Featured Comments from:

Lyle Allan: "I bought this book when it first came out. I also own a large number of other books about Weston as well and have seen many of his prints (I am still haunted by the gorgeous Weston platinum print shown by James Hyman at the last AIPAD). I can attest to everything that Michael said, this is absolutely, the best Weston book there is. If you don't have it, now is the time."

Nick: "I've been wanting (needing) a Weston book for some time. Giant gaping hole in my shelf without him since he's one of my favorite artists (in any media). Thanks for the recommendation and the deal. I don't normally impulse buy anything over $50 but this is a special exception."

John Sarsgard: "I also got it when first released. I was a student in Michael and Paula's first workshop. They do not have 'that's good enough' in their vocabulary. The reproduction is the finest I have ever seen in a book."

Comments

[psu]

There doesn't appear to be a link to the ordering page?

[Sorry...I had the URL screwed up. It's posted now--you might need to refresh your page. My fault! --MJ]

[ryan]

Done. Thanks for the great (as usual) offer Mike and Lodima.

[Shaun O'Boyle]

Thanks Mike and Lodima for making this offer. Really looking forward to this book. I'm hoping there are some images of the southern plantations he shot in 1941 for the Leaves of Grass project.

[Ken White]

I won't be buying the book but the cover image of Charis Wilson reminds me of a documentary video of her relationship with Weston. It was full of insights into both personalities. The affect they had on one another was profound.

I must have watched the video a dozen times while I had it saved on my DVR. Highly recommended.

[Ari]

Thanks, Mike! I'm looking forward to having ready access to top-quality (or is it TOP-quality?) reproductions of Weston's work. I'm especially looking forward to comparing the Lodima reproductions with the ones in my copy of the 1979 Aperture slipcased edition of "Edward Weston, His Life and Photographs". I'm guessing it'll be a blow-out in favor of Lodima....

[Craig]

Thanks! My order is in. I await this wonderful book with great anticipation.

[adamct]

Done. Ordered. Thanks!

[Rob]

This looks to be a great deal on a great book. I had the privilege of seeing a large exhibition of original Weston prints in Edinburgh two years ago. For reasons of preservation, the lighting was so dim that it was difficult to appreciate the images fully. I expect that with the outstanding reproduction quality in this book, it will be possible to see the images as they should be seen.

My order has been placed. Thanks for making it possible, Mike.

[Richard]

Done! Thanks to the Michaels! I assume when sold out the order link will show that? If my order was taken I'm in?

[Drew]

Done and done! Thanks for putting this opportunity together.

[Dennis Ng]

Try my best to get it but as it is not just add $50 for shipping charge to a paypal account and you are in. I guess it is less likely for me to get one. Not fair my heart said, paid more but less chance ... Still send an mail to try my luck for an international order.

Good book!

[Mike Johnston]

Dennis,
I don't know exactly how the orders are being handled, but I'm sure they'll do their best to be fair. I'll post an update as soon as the dust clears; I gather this morning has been quite hectic for them.

Mike

[Mike Johnston]

Richard,
I wouldn't have posted the offer if they didn't have a reasonable number of copies available...it's no good simply to frustrate people. I would imagine the supply will hold out for a while, and anyone who orders this morning (and maybe even the first day) will get a book. Of course the sales could slow down and there'd be enough for everybody. It's just very hard to predict the pace of sales like this. It's been fast and furious so far, I gather.

Mike

[Will Whitaker]

"...over-the-top printing quality..."

Like over the TOP?
Oh well, I guess this is what credit cards are for!
Thanks Mike and MAS!

[Kenneth Tanaka]

This is a wonderful opportunity for Weston fans. We have this book in the library (at the AIC) and it really is an exceptionally well produced work.

[Marek Fogiel]

Hi Mike,
Case wanted, that as you were putting out this book offer, I was with my wife at an emergency, because she broke her leg today. Actually, she has had it broken by an absent minded 22 year old young lady, who forgot to look after her skateboard, because SOMEBODY CALLED HER ON THE PHONE. Since Monte Carlo is all up and down hill, the skateboard rolled down at supersonic speed and hit my wife's leg, as she was turning a corner of a street. The moral is, I have only come home now, but even if there is still any copy left, I am not going to be able to order it, BECAUSE I CANNOT USE PAYPAL.
For whatever reason, Paypal does not cover Monaco, therefore I'd like you to think about me as a customer too, and provide an alternative means of payment for your books. A good old credit card would be fine, otherwise you can send me the books for free, and when you will become an affluent editor, and decide to take a trip down here, I will give you the accumulated cash for playing at the Casino...
Best regards

Marek

[Phil Maus]

Got my order in! Thanks Mike, Michael and Paula for this outstanding offer. It is uncommon for me to spend this much - albeit the excellent price in this case - on any book. Weston is in indeed a "staple" though, and I didn't have to think twice about this quality collection. I placed my order the moment I saw this!

[HD]

Order #1000.

[Ben]

Ordered. I cheated and used a mail-forwarding service in Florida so that I didn't have to go through the international order process. I fear the cost of shipping to Costa Rica though. I think there goes my $85 discount...

[Del]

Weston was for many in my generation, the fellow who captured our attention to the potential of photography as art. The Daybooks of Edward Weston also captured our imaginations. Though it is not the type of photography I ended up doing for the most part-Weston surely led me down the path. I have many books of his photos, and I'm anxiously awaiting this Christmas present to myself.

[David]

Where does one find those cotton gloves for handling a book like this?

[Thomas]

Weston? I love his work! Thanks so much for the opportunity to own this book.

Anybody interested in sharing shipping costs to Paris, France?

[Mike Johnston]

David,
Here you go.

Mike

[Mike Johnston]

Marek,
VERY sorry about your wife! How unpleasant.

I'm sure Michael will work with you about ordering. They're very accommodating.

Mike

[John Krill]

This should go nicely with my first edition copy of 'California and the West' that my Dad bought just before getting married. Probably the last photo book he ever bought.

He also sold his Rolleiflex. He really regretted that.

[dsr]

Don't have the Weston book, but have quite a few other from Lodima Press and can attest to the high quality of their products. Ordered. And Lodima backwards is....

[V.I. Voltz]

First time in a long time I've felt the need for redemption!

Voltz

[MartinB]

I am tempted but I bought the one titled Edward Weston: One Hundred Twenty-five Photographs published by Ammo in Dec 2011. Does anyone have any idea approximately how many of the images are the same in both additions and comment on a comparison of the differences in reproduction characteristics?
thanks

[Paddy C]

600 line screen. OMG! Didn't know that could even be done.

[Paddy C]

Should add that, although I'm not a Weston fan, I'm thinking about buying this just to ogle at the repro quality.

[Andy Gastwirth]

Got one! Very excited! Thanks!

AG

[Anonymous]

Ordered, but am I wrong that ordering page does not seem to be secured for credit card info? And why no option of paying by PayPal on checkout page?

[Peter Williams]

Thanks Mike, great work, appreciate the efforts you go to for your readers.

[Hendrik]

There is a wonderfully quaint 1948 film on Weston on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4aE2f07ON4.

The shipping to Europe unfortunately is 58 USD.

[Bill Mitchell]

The reproductions are absolutely superb, but the choice of images is a little thin. If you don't already have a shelf full of EW, there are other books with much better selection of images, and reproductions nearly as good.
IMO, the best place to start is the out-of-print (and much maligned) "Edward Weston, Fifty Years" by Ben Maddow. Used on ebay for usually about $70.

[Chris Norris]

I really want this book. I'm on the screen at the end about to type in my credit card information. This is the most expensive book I've bought. There's a big problem, though.

The credit card submission page is not encrypted.

This is a big, bad thing. This means that if you're ordering at a coffee shop on an open network, someone could steal your info. This means that anyone between my computer and their site could get my information. This is the equivalent of going into a store and just shouting out your credit card number rather than handing it to a clerk.

I actually have not seen a site accept credit card information without a secure connection in years. Hopefully they know more about making books than they do about websites. I'm actually wondering if their site was hacked.

[Eric Rose]

Bought it when it first came out. Stunning reproduction.

[Tom Swoboda]

It's 11:15 pm central time and it looks like TOP followers have crashed the publisher's servers.

[Dan]

Bought this when Michael and Paula first came out with it. Worth every penny. Excellent printing and well laid out. Michael A. Smith and Paula Chamlee are two of the finest photographers and people around.

[William Barnett-Lewis]

I do hate being broke, sometimes. And yet, much as I love Weston's work and have no doubt this would be an exquisite text, if I had $140 that I could actually spare? I wouldn't buy this book. I'd buy film. $140 of ISO100 Arista.EDU Ultra 120 roll film to feed the Rolleicord.

Then, only after I hit click on that order, I'd get the info together for a Interlibrary Loan request (as I'm sure there is a library somewhere that owns it) so that I could at least see the book once.

[Dennis Ng]

@Mike They have kindly replied and I sent my order via paypal just now. Thanks.

I hope I am in and I am really looking forward to the book.

(BTW, Sorry, my IT guy part have to say this: the unsecured order page mentioned here is really bad. Can you advice them to change that part as it is potentially dangerous to their customer. It is Internet after all. But as I cannot get to that page anyway, I used Paypal instead. Hence, it is fine for this customer.)

[Anonymous]

@Chris Norris, I was hesitant too when I saw the unencrypted website. Then saw Mike's note saying they were overwhelmed with emails, and I thought I would rather take the risk with the website than wait for a reply and lose the chance to order. I have come across the same issue with the website for "Really Right Stuff" just last week. When I called them they first asked me to just add "s" to http, then later told me never mind, but the credit card info would still be encrypted. I ordered over the phone.

[Michael A. Smith]

Our shopping cart is up and running again.

[Joe Decker]

It's back up, thanks for making this available!

[Michael Sheppler]

Hi Mike,

The website is up and I was able to purchase a copy this morning.

Michael Sheppler

[Mike B]

Bingo/. Just picked one up.

[brian]

Hello:
I was hoping to order this book for a friend of mine in Asia. Can I have the weight of the book? (I need to lug it onto the plane:) Also, if I order this week, would it reach me in Ohio by the 12th of November?
Thanks!
Brian

[Brian, I gave Paula your email address and she will contact you about this. --MJ]

[Marshall]

Argh. I leave town for a few days and THIS happens?! And then ENDS.... Argh.