Photo books as an investment?
This past Saturday, the Guardian news paper here in the UK ran an article about Photographic books. To summarise, they suggested that buying photography books from unknown photographic artists is a good way to invest for the future.
I would agree that certainly, limited edition copies of photographic books are very collectable. Whether they will help you in your retirement is another matter.
If you haven’t guessed yet, I’m a bit of a collector of photographic books. (I just bought Bill Schwab’s 2nd edition of Gathering calm to sit nicely against the first edition, and I also bought Rolfe Horn’s 28 Photographs). I find them immensely beautiful objects to own, and a very absorbing way to appreciate someones work. Just a few months ago I reviewed Michael Kenna’s Huangshan book, which I still think is one of the most beautifully printed books I’ve ever seen. Printed on high end Japanese uncoated art paper, the photographs take on a spirit and a feeling I could never get from browsing a web site.
To digress a little, my own book is being printed by the very same printer, and they have let me know that there was a lot of time and effort that went into sourcing the paper and inks for Huangshan.
Anyway, I digress. Huangshan is almost sold out (it was limited to 1,000 copies) and prices on the web are rising steadily. It’s only been out for 4 to 6 months.
So I’m wondering – maybe there is something in the Guardian’s article. But ultimately, I would prefer to collect books because I love them, appreciate them, and enjoy getting lost in their contents for a few hours now and then. That to me, is priceless.
ps. If you’re interested in any of these books, you can get Gathering Calm from Beyond Words book shop, but I think that Rolfe’s book is now out of print. Best to ask Neil if you do enquire or go look on Abebooks (second hand site), but expect prices to be high for books on Abebooks due to the collect-ability of photographic books i’ve just been discussing.
I agree about Huangshan, Bruce. Hokkaido is also excellent. I collect a few books, not for investment, but purely pleasure and to see what the best looks like.
I recently purchased the updated Hasselblad Compendium by Rick Nordin. The original, of which I have a copy, is now worth well over twice the original price on Ebay. That really has me scratching my head.
Comment by jeffg53 — 26 July, 2011 @ 1:34 am
Hi Bruce – To date I purchased two of the books you have recommended. The first was Huangshan (M Kenna) and I agree the book, its images and the manner of printing is exceptional in its beauty. I purchased two other M. Kenna books as well, all from Beyond Words. And today, my second book recommended by you arrived; Ansel Adams in Color. I haven’t even had an opportunity to look at it yet.
Please keep up the recommendations.
Comment by Steve N — 26 July, 2011 @ 1:38 am
Hi Jeff, Stephen,
Really, really pleased you guys got Huangshan and love it just like I do. I think that edition is going to be worth a bit as well in future, as I’ve been told they’re not going to do a second edition (they’re bound to rethink on that one).
I don’t see how buying an old Hasselblad compendium can be an attractive purchase. But then again, I guess if you buy a 70′s Blad, it’s nice to own a compendium from the same era.
My friend Lynda sold me her Blad, which was made in 1984 and she posted me the Compendium she bought around the same time. It’s nice to own both from the same era :-)
I missed out on the Hokkaido book, and now find it’s around £180 to get a basic copy. Something I can’t justify.
Stephen – the Ansel Adams in colour is an interesting historical note more than anything. It’s interesting to see Adams’ compositions, recorded in a medium that hadn’t quite got there yet.
Thanks for letting me know my recommendations have been worthwhile :-)
Comment by Bruce Percy — 26 July, 2011 @ 5:07 am
Hi Bruce
Just to let everyone know I have two copies of Horn’s 28 Photographs remaining at £36.
Neil
Comment by Beyond Words — 26 July, 2011 @ 4:35 pm
I recently bought Gathering Calm and Jeff Conloy’s Winter from Beyond Words, both of which are beautifully printed especially the latter.
Following on from the Guardian article, last month Professional Photographer had a 5 or 6 page piece about the same subject. There’s a podcast too on the PP site.
Really looking forward to your book too!
Comment by milouvision — 27 July, 2011 @ 9:44 pm
Hi milouvision,
I too have Jeffrey Conley’s Winter. It was sent to me by the printer (they printed this title) as an example of the paper type they were suggesting for my book. You’ll be pleased to hear that I am using the same paper type.
I would also agree, that Winter is printed very well. I think Bill Scwab has a very different quality to his book, and i think it works well for his ‘rustic’ style of imagery. So glad you like those books as I think they’re very beautiful too.
Comment by Bruce Percy — 27 July, 2011 @ 9:57 pm
That’s a very insightful comment about the Bill Schwab book – I hadn’t considered that paper quality would compliment a particular type of imagery. I’d imagine making a choice on that aspect might be a tad challenging.
David
Comment by milouvision — 27 July, 2011 @ 10:11 pm
I think paper type can play a big part in how the images are read and enjoyed.
Printed books, especially those that have been done very well, impart a completely different viewing experience than the web for instance. Books are tactile objects, to be touched. I think the feel of the paper and quality of it (without sounding like some book pervert) really make a difference.
Bill’s work is very dark and moody. I think the paper he’s used is a bit more edgy than a nice glossy paper. Conley’s work is more precise and I think the fine detail and clean imagery suit a paper with a varnish on it.
Sorry, I think i’ve just gone on quite a bit. And I haven’t had anything to drink tonight either !
Comment by Bruce Percy — 27 July, 2011 @ 10:20 pm