FOTO JAZZ by Ed Van Der Elsken,  a beautiful first edition / first printing in excellent condition. 

Munich: Nymphenburger, 1959.

First German Edition and first printing, with English language translation booklet laid in. 

A superb collection of photographs shot at concerts in Amsterdam and the Hague. Images include Count Basie, Lionel Hampton, Dizzy Gillespie, Horace Silver, Sonny Rollins Trio, Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Chet Baker and Louis Armstrong. 109 black & white plates. Texts by Jan Vrijman, Hugo Claus, Simon Carmiggelt, Friso Endt and Michiel de Ruyter.  (Roth p.156; Hasselblad p.184,185; Parr p. 246.) 

Foto-Jazz is the European title of Dutch photographer Ed Van der Elsken's best-known work. The American (and Dutch) title is simply Jazz. 

A celebrated Roth 101 title (one of the 101 greatest photography books of all time.) 

Measuring approximately 7.5 x 7.5 inches, the book is bound in photog-raphically illustrated hardcover boards. NEAR FINE (NEAR PRISTINE) with a previous owner's name and brief inscription on the first free end page. No other owner markings. Some tiny rubbing at each spine end. Sharp corners, and no signs of careless handling. The previous owner has wrapped a clear French-fold cellophane wrapper loosely over the covers to protect the book from handling. This wrapper is of course easily removable and has done a good job of protecting the book thus far. The removable wrapper has a few chips and tears. We will include an English language translation of the text with this auction. 

"Jazz has become one of the most collectible photography books from the mid-twentieth century. Like William Claxton’s Jazzlife and Dennis Stock’s Jazz Street, Van Der Elsken’s entry in the niche of jazz photography was published just prior to the moment when rock’n’roll cemented its place as the popular music of choice for young people. This book is perhaps the most successful of numerous attempts to capture photographically the essence of jazz because it is more than just a succession of musicians’ portraits, or even a documentary record of performance, but a book that visually echoes the music itself. Other photographers, perhaps closer to the jazz community, have made books on the subject, but Van Der Elsken’s is the work of an authentic jazz fan and a maker of authentic photobooks." (Steidl, publisher) 

Ed van der Elsken (1925–1990), the "enfant terrible" of Dutch photography, was a talented photographer and filmmaker who expressed his meetings with people in photos, photo books and films for more than 40 years. Strolling through cities such as Paris, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Amsterdam or travelling through Africa and Japan, he preferably took photographs of striking individuals with character. His first photo book Love on the Left Bank was published in 1956, which instantly made him world-famous. Some 20 photobooks followed. He also made several television films, mostly about subjects regarding his own life." ---Martin Parr, The Photobook: A History vol 1

We are offering FREE Priority Mail shipping within U.S. with this item. International shipments made at $35 via Priority International.  

All books may be returned if not as described within 14 days of receipt, with prior notification.