The Americans (Signed First Edition)

New York: Grove Press, 1959. First edition and first printing. Small oblong hardcover. First published in France in 1958 as "Les Americains" this was the first edition to include Jack Kerouac's terrific introduction. An often intimate collection of black and white photographs taken by Frank throughout the country. An about very good copy in black cloth boards with the text block having been skillfully recased by an expert conservator who also replaced the original endpapers and with the bookplate of photographer Joseph Jachna affixed to the front pastedown and in an about very good dust jacket that has numerous chips and tears and with a large chunk missing from the base of the spine that extends to the rear panel. Signed by Frank on the half title page with a lengthy inscription by him as well: "For Bill who has liked these photographs a long time ago. for meeting him, one cold afternoon in Chicago werhe the past got into the future. Good luck. Robert Frank. Jan 71." Despite the issues a pleasing copy with an interesting provenance and a great inscription. Easily one of the most important and influential photography books of the 20th century. (Parr & Badger v1, 247; Roth 150-151). (Inventory #: 204277)