Between the Covers

Unbound. Portfolio. Brown textured paper over boards with ribbon ties. Title stenciled, and author's signature on front board. Seven bifolia (folded card leaves) with mounted photographs. A portfolio of 12 images. An eighth bifolia is laid in with a duplicate image, we think this functioned as a prospectus, with a note by the photographer that seems to indicate that. A little rubbing on the boards else fine, the images are immaculate. Inscribed by the author in 1967. Hand-stenciled title page and stenciled or stamped colophon indicating that this is copy number 97 of an edition of 150 copies Signed by the photographer (considering the do-it-yourself nature of the project, we'd be surprised if the run of 150 portfolios was completed). Strikingly rich black and white gelatin silver prints of black Jews (sometimes known as "Ethiopian Hebrews") worshipping in New York.

Shustak (1926-2003) was a white Bronx-born photographer, who moved to, and stayed in New Zealand in 1973. According to a website devoted to his work, he was best "known for his 1960's portfolios of Black Jews, Fisheye nudes, Jazz musicians (for Riverside Records), Graffiti, Street photography..." He was also the subject of an award-winning documentary.

A rare and quite wonderful group of images focused on a little known sub-sect of the Jewish religion. The only copy we've seen. *OCLC* locates two sets of the portfolio (Yale and University of New Mexico).

Item #402765