FRANK (Robert). The Americans. Texts collected... Lot 534

FRANK (Robert). The Americans. Texts collected and presented by Alain Bosquet. Photographs by Robert Frank. P., Robert Delpire, "Encyclopédie essentielle", 1958, 8° oblong, 172 p., cart. ed. illustrated by Steinberg (spine leg. burnished, the first pages have been glued back, brown spots at the bottom of pages 10 to 15, fold pp. 169/170). First edition. In the mid-1950s, Robert Frank decided to travel the United States with his family, armed with his camera. His itinerary is left to the randomness of roads and paths, so he crosses 30 states and photographs those who cross his path. In 13 months, he will have taken almost 27000 pictures, far from the image of the American dream, he immortalizes a much rougher reality. On his return, he proposed this report to the press like no other. Notably to "Life", which refused to publish it. Robert Delpire decided to publish the historical work in 1958, two years after the return of Robert Frank's journey. The book comes out in the most total indifference, it is even judged sad, perverse, even subversive ... In 1959, it is published in English by Grove Press, but the edition meets with deep hostility and is criticized for anti-Americanism. In 1961, his much decried series was exhibited for the first time at the Art Institute of Chicago. The 1960s will participate in the evolution of mentalities and the book will gradually become a classic of photography.