Taos Pueblo [SIGNED BY ANSEL ADAMS]

Boston: New York Graphic Society, 1977. Facsimile Edition. Hardcover. Fine condition. 1/950. Elephant folio. Brown half leather over sienna cloth resting in matching cloth slipcase. Raised bands. Marbled endpapers. Illustrated title-page plus facsimile of original title-page from 1930 edition, along with the original colophon for copy No. 1 (signed by Adams and Austin). Minor half-inch light scratch at lower spine, else a fine, clean copy. Copy No. 947, signed by Adams on the colophon. Original colophon with facsimile signatures of Adams and Austin at rear.

Fabulous collaboration between Ansel Adams (1902-1984) and Mary Hunter Austin (1868-1934), the result being this book about Taos Pueblo, New Mexico, the religious center for Taos Indians. Taos Pueblo's most prominent architectural feature is the multistoried residential complex built approximately 1000 years ago of straw, earth and water (adobe). Its residents believe it to be the oldest continuously inhabited community in North America and are known to be one of the most secretive and conservative pueblos. Mary Austin was a prolific American novelist, poet, critic, playwright, as well as an early feminist. Her text in this work perfectly compliment the stunning photographs by Adams. Illustrated with 12 reproductions of photographs of the inhabitants and the architecture of Taos Pueblo in duo tone. The photos were taken in 1930 and it's immediate success laid the foundation for Adams to become one of the most well known and finest photographers of the 20th century. Text printed by Lawton and Alfred Kennedy, photograph reproduced by George Waters, woodcut motifs by Valentia Angelo, bound by Vincent Mullins. Afterword by Weston J. Naef.