Henri Cartier Bresson Les Européens Les Européens Original collections 1955 Gravure Française

Henri Cartier-Bresson

Les Europeens

The Europeans

Original 1955 French Edition

Les Europeens. Photographs and introduction by Henri Cartier-Bresson. Editions Verve, Paris.1955. Original edition. 114 pp. plus text. Hardcover. First French and original edition. With the same images as the first American edition entitled The Europeans. Folio. Cover designed and executed by Joan Miro. 114 full page gravure reproductions. Identical in content and size as the American book. However, the first French edition had no caption booklet or dust jacket. Text in French.

"Cartier-Bresson worked on Les Europeens The Europeans for five years, a short period if one considers that the famous Images a la sauvette [The Decisive Moment] of 1952, was the fruit of twenty years labour. Its presents a dense portrait of a Europe where, ten years after the war, accumulated ruins, as well as traces of hunger and misery on peoples faces were still clearly visible. In the preface, nevertheless, Cartier-Bresson states that whether we are just passing or settled down in a particular place, in order to express a country or situation, one needs to have somehow established a close working relationship, to be supported by a human community; living takes time, and roots take shape slowly...Amplified and enriched, the work of the photographer with soles of wind is revealed in all its grandeur."--Jean Clair, Maison Europeene de la Photographie, Paris Included in Parr and Badger The Photobook: A History, Vol. 1

A good copy of a notoriously fragile book. Boards a bit loose from the book. Hinges split. Beautiful, clean pages.Boards show some scuffing,soiling and scratches. Moderate wear along the top and bottom edges and moderate wear to the corners.The spine backstrip has some missing sections but is present. Some tape reinforcement to the spine. Scattered light foxing to the fore edges. Internally, a Japanese stamp to the title page. Scattered light foxing to the first free and to the rear endpapers. Light tanning to page edges. Slight musty smell. Now in a custom paper jacket.

A wonderful and rare book printed in gorgeous gravure. A classic.