Paris de Nuit

Introduction by Paul Morand. Photos by Brassai.

Paris. Edition Arts et Metiers Graphiques. 1933. First edition. Illustrated wrappers, metal spiral binding. [74] pages. 62 photogravure plates, double-page photogravure endpapers. 250 x 200mm (9¾ x 7¾"). 0.35kg. . French. Very good; some light rubbing to edges, crease to top forecorner of rear wrapper, no inscriptions.

A very good copy of the influential modernist photobook. In Paris de Nuit Brassai takes on the role of the street flaneur, infiltrating with his camera the dark spots of city life. His photographs reveal the nocturnal streets and the characters who inhabit them. By documenting the workers, chorus girls, criminals, lovers, tourists and drunkards he is following in the footsteps of Degas and Toulouse-Lautrec, but is one of the first to use a camera rather than a paint brush. His photographs of the demi-monde are juxtaposed against the dazzle of the Eiffel Tower and other Parisian landmarks. The book is a fine example of quality photobook production, with its spiral binding, the strong graphic elements of the text, the full-page bleeds and the rich tonality of the photogravure reproductions which emphasise the elements of dark and light. Paris de Nuit was very well received on publication and won Brassai a place as one of the greatest twentieth-century photographers.

[Roth. The Book of 101 Books. p.76-7; Parr & Badger. The Photobook: A History Volume I. p.134; Hasselblad Center. The Open Book. p.110-1; Auer. 802 Photo Books. p.198]