Paul Strand: The Mexican Portfolio

[New York]: Da Capo Press, 1967. 2000 copies, signed by Strand, of which this is no. 579. Near fine. Second edition. 7 p. + 20 photo plates with tissue guards. Pages loose as issued. In original card folder in chemise and slipcase. A few marks to slipcase upper front. Slight discolouration to interior folder.

A seminal work by a legendary figure in 20th century American photography. The photographs taken by the author on his travels through Mexico in 1932-33 show architecture, landscape, the indigenous people, and religious folk sculpture. Strand's work first made its appearance as "Photographs of Mexico" in a limited edition of 250 copies in 1940, with the printing of the steel-faced gravure plates by master platemaker Otto Wackernagel being supervised by Strand himself and executed by Charles Furth and the Photogravure and Color Company. This second edition used the original Wackernagel plates, printed by Albert Delong at the Andersen Lamb Company of Brooklyn. Strand was even more pleased with this version, stating "Delong has made these plates sing." The images are a celebration of the subjects' pride, dignity and endurance.