Martin Parr: Parrworld: Objects and Postcards

Martin Parr's vast collections of photography books and postcards are world-renowned. Unbeknownst to many, he is also an obsessive collector of photographic and themed objects. In Parrworld: Objects and Postcards, a luscious two-volume set, his affinity for focused accumulation is presented with appropriate thoroughness, and with typical Parrian humor. Some of the items in the first volume, Objects, have already achieved notoriety--for instance, the wrist watches featuring Saddam Hussein's visage. Others mythologize well-known figures such as Lenin and the Spice Girls. Then there is the kitsch--from wallpaper to trays and objects commemorating Sputnik, Charles and Di's wedding and 9/11. While Objects is the first publication to document Parr's 25-plus years of such collecting, Postcards is the "last word" on an extraordinary collection of over 20,000 cards. Presented in album format, it is a highly entertaining yet serious study of postcard history, and includes early cards that depict local news events such as car crashes and murders. The book finishes in Boring Postcards territory with a selection of cards promoting motorways and shopping.
Objects is introduced by Parr and Postcards features an introduction by Thomas Weski, curator of the companion exhibition, Parrworld. This remarkably designed set is bound to appeal to a wide audience, but in particular to Parr collectors who thought they already owned everything Parr.
Martin Parr, born in Epsom, England in 1952, is the author of more than 30 photography books, including Our True Intent Is All For Your Delight, Boring Postcards and Mexico. His photographs are held by museums worldwide, including the J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles; The Museum of Modern Art, New York; and Tate Modern, London. Parr is a member of Magnum Photos.

"The subject matter flits from early transportation accident scenes to mine disasters, the British suffragist movement to European roadways. The artist/collector states in the foreword, 'I have a very strong collecting gene ...' and anyone enjoying a foray through this handsome assemblage would not argue with him." -- Yul Tule --The Bloomsbury Review

"In Parrworld: Objects and Postcards, a two-volume set, his procurement abilities are presented with appropriate thoroughness, and with typical Parr humour." --Photolife: The Art, Culture, and Science of Photography

"Spice Girl chocolate wrappers. Margaret Thatcher mugs. Photographer Parr saved everything--now he's sharing his collected kitsch in these mesmerizing two volumes." --Entertainment Weekly

"Martin Parr parades his quirky collection of postcards through Parrworld."-- Elissa Schappell --Vanity Fair