“A beggar’s book outworths a noble’s blood,” said the Duke of Buckingham in Shakespeare’s second-longest play, Henry VIII. While the Duke certainly has a point, the only thing that might outworth a beggar’s book is a photobook. It is a truth universally acknowledged that they make for unforgettable Christmas presents. With the holiday season now in full swing, we’ve cherry-picked 10 killer books to gift your beloveds.
1. Daido Moriyama, Shashin Jidai 1981–1988
There’s been no shortage of Daido love this year, but it’s been well deserved of course — he’s been on red hot form! This total beast presents, in full for the first time, the long-lost serials Daido published in Shashin Jidai, the erotic photo magazine that exploded in Japan in the 80s. It’s a literal page-turner and comes with a pink poster. Brace yourself for the heart palpitations.
‘Shashin Jidai 1981–1988’ is co-published by Session Press and Dashwood Books, £65.
2. Chloé Jafé, SAKASA
For something extra special, try gifting Chloé Jafé’s badass trilogy of books. Each channels the Japanese symbiosis of order and chaos with a diarist’s touch, offering a complete immersion into Chloé’s seedy adventures across the archipelago. A shout out to the sumptuous slipcase, which is embossed by a black dragon!
‘SAKASA’ is published by the(M) éditions and IBASHO, £85.
3. Richard Prince, The Entertainers
A peep show in a book! This is a very handsome and hypnotic hardback by Richard Prince, who really does seem to understand the true nature of America. It’s a fantasy of colour, collecting the celebrity ads the young artist photographed around Times Square and 42nd Street in the early 1980s. The impressive printing really brings Richard’s manipulated mastery to life — and death.
‘The Entertainers’ is published by Fulton Ryder, £60.
4. William Klein, Who Are You, Polly Maggoo?
Delpire have dared to translate William Klein’s star-studded cult film of 1966 onto the page, and it’s an absolute success. Part homage, part spoof, Who Are You, Polly Maggoo? follows the titular supermodel through the decadent world of Parisian haute couture by way of a budget television crew. The scathing captions — writ large in brilliant white — will have you in tears and utterly hooked. A sublime addition to the portfolio of the late, great artist. Long may he multi-hyphenate on our bookshelves!
‘Who Are You, Polly Maggoo?’ is co-published by Delpire & Co and D.A.P., £110.
5. Walter Pfeiffer, Chez Walti
Weighing in at 418 heavily saturated pages is this tome by Walter Pfeiffer. It sees the Swiss artist run riot, tracing a line of beauty through 20 years of work. It’s certainly one of the best colour-coded books you’re likely to see. As for the wrapping, we recommend red and white polka dotted paper with a pink bow. A dream come true!
‘Chez Walti’ is published by Edition Patrick Frey, £70.
6. Paul Kooiker, Fashion
Paul Kooiker’s 10-chapter tale of fashion is outrageously good and an obvious contender for gift of the year. It’s commendable how the photographer continuously sticks to his guns, never compromising his absurdist vision for the big brands he works for — and who clearly can’t get enough. That said, who hasn’t been totally enthralled by his sepia spell?!
‘Fashion’ is published by Art Paper Editions, £48.
7. Alberto Vieceli, Pet Sounds
The cutest title of the year award goes to… Pet Sounds! It does what it says on the tin, composing hundreds of record sleeves that picture your elders’ faves alongside their furry counterparts. They are grouped not by genre or era, but by pose. It’s amazing that such a book has not been made up until now. You can’t help but hum — or purr — your way through.
‘Pet Sounds’ is published by everyedition, £39.
8. Marguerite Bornhauser, When Black Is Burned
On the more beautiful end of things is the latest by Marguerite Bornhauser, an über-talented French photographer who’s now making a habit of turning out stunners. Out courtesy of a young and exciting publisher based in Paris, When Black is Burned is stacked with impressions that combine a sense of lucid reality with the haziness of daydreams. This is Marguerite’s world of colour and poetry. It’s her world of today.
‘When Black Is Burned’ is published by Simple Editions, £40.
9. Viviane Sassen, Phosphor
It’s been a great year for retrospectives, but the pick of the bunch has to be the long-awaited Sassen tome. Viviane seems to appear in all our photobook lists, but they just don’t seem complete without her. This is a deliriously enjoyable, sumo-sized object conceived alongside Prestel, whose production values are obviously on point. It reads front-to-back and back-to-front, bringing Viviane’s fashion and personal work together. A book about the master, by the master. No more. No less. Than perfect.
‘Phosphor’ is published by Prestel, £55.
10. Kensuke Koike, Poker Face
Now this might be cheating because it’s not technically a photobook. But there’s no better way to bring everyone together on Christmas Day than a good old-fashioned game. Published by the famed French collector Thomas Sauvin, Kensuke Koike’s photographic puzzle consists of 72 pieces that can be reassembled into an infinite number of pictures. It will keep dissectologists up all night, and maybe even your auntie too. After all, there’s no right answer! Merry Christmas, one and all!
‘Poker Face’ is published by Beijing Silvermine, £25.
Credits
All images courtesy of the respective authors