The Decisive Moment.

First Edition of Henri Cartier-Bresson's The Decisive Moment; Signed Twice by Him

The Decisive Moment.

CARTIER-BRESSON, Henri.

Item Number: 85360

New York: Simon and Schuster, 1952.

First American edition of Cartier-Bresson’s classic work, with 126 photographs by “the Raphael of 20th-century photographers.” Folio, original illustrated boards. Jacket design by Matisse. Boldly signed by Henri Cartier-Bresson on the title page. With the captions booklet laid in, which is signed by Cartier-Bresson as well. Fine in a near fine dust jacket with a touch of rubbing and wear. Rare and desirable signed twice by this legendary photographer.

"Cartier-Bresson has a special interest in photographing people and in capturing the essence of what has not previously been seen. He is famous for his theory of the 'decisive moment'-that is seizing the split second when the subject stands revealed in its most significant aspect? Today he ranks as one of the most important and influential photographers of this century" (Blodgett, 96)—"the Raphael of 20th-century photographers" (Icons of Photography, 58). Decisive Moment is Cartier-Bresson's most famous work, containing his most comprehensive and important statement on the meaning, technique, and utility of photography. "The simultaneous publication [of this edition with Images à la Sauvette] in New York in July 1952, with a cover by Matisse (who had just had his retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art) was a tremendous success" (Roth, 134). With extremely scarce dust jacket; separate caption pamphlet (rarely found) laid in. Parr & Badger I:208. Open Book, 154-5.

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