A Personal View: Photography in the Collection of Paul F. Walter

A nice collection of 19th-century photography with some early 20th-century examples. The catalogue for an exhibition at MoMA, NYC. Preface by John Szarkowski; essay by John Pultz. 136 pages; 70 duo-toned b&w plates + 19 text illustrations; 9.25 x 10.75 inches.

This addition to the literature celebrating fine private photographic collections presents 70 black-and-white images reproduced, one to a page, in luscious duotone. One finds images of India, Second Empire France, and recognized masterworks from the early 20th century. Pultz's essay surveys photographic connoisseurship and the way in which certain personal perceptions have informed private acquisition, ultimately enlarging our view of photohistory. Yet from this beautiful but indistinctive selection of photographs one does not get a strong sense of the content of Walter's ``vision.'' While the book does not break new ground, the deluxe presentation and the useful biographical and critical notes on the plates recommend it for photography and art collections. Ann Copeland, Drew Univ. Lib., Madison, N.J.
Copyright 1985 Reed Business Information, Inc.