ROBERT MAPPLETHORPE (First edition - large format portfolio)

First impression of the true first edition - a very large format hardcover monograph. Published in collaboration with the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation - this is the definitive collection of Mapplethorpe's monochrome photographs, drawing on the full range of his work. Edited and designed by Mark Holborn and Dimitri Levas, with an essay entitled "Playing with the Edge - The Photographic Achievement of Robert Mapplethorpe" by Arthur C. Danto. ***Near fine in light-grey cloth-covered boards with silver titles to the spine and blind-embossed titles to the front board. The boards are beautifully clean and unmarked, with just a small scuff at the bottom edge of the front board. Head and tail of spine slightly creased, but no serious creases or bumps. Corners sharp. Page block clean. Internally also near fine with no inscriptions or annotations. No creases or tears. No foxing to the interior pages. Pages clean and bright. Black endpapers. No reading lean to the binding which is straight. Spine tight. ***In a near fine black and white illustrated dustwrapper, which retains the original publisher's printed price of £60.00 net. The dustwrapper has folding top and bottom edge flaps to prevent any edge tears or chipping. Extremities of dustwrapper just slightly rubbed and creased, but with no chips or tears. The dustwrapper is just slightly marked, and perhaps a little yellowed at the spine, but with no fading. Dustwrapper bright. ***300mm x 315mm. 382 pages. ***Contents: Polaroids 1972-1975, Photographs 1972-1989, Playing with the Edge (essay), Chronology, Exhibitions, Bibliography, List of Plates, Editor's Note, Acknowledgments. ***'Robert Mapplethorpe began taking photographs in 1970 with a Polaroid camera given to him by a friend. Nearly twenty years later, when Mapplethorpe died at the age of forty-two, he was considered one of the most important photographers of his time. This is the definitive collection of Mapplethorpe's black-and-white photographs, drawing on the full range of his work, from the early Polaroids to the haunting self-portraits taken shortly before he died. It has been prepared in collaboration with the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation, which was established by the artist to provide funds for AIDS research and photographic projects. ' (Quote taken from the front flap of the dustwrapper) ***First impression of the true first edition, printed on nice photographic quality paper, sumptuously illustrated with Robert Mapplethorpe's monochrome photographs, complete in the original dustwrapper, in very nice, clean bright collectable condition. Of interest to collectors of the work of the renowned photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, and the New York avant-garde art scene. A beautifully produced book. ***For all our books, postage is charged at cost, allowing for packaging: any shipping rates indicated on ABE are an average only: we will reduce the P & P charge where appropriate - please contact us for postal rates for heavier books and sets etc. ***Please note that this is a VERY LARGE and HEAVY book, and will incur extra shipping charges if sold outside the UK. …