American Photographs (Robert Frank's Copy, Inscribed by Evans)

New York: Museum of Modern Art, 1938. With pencil annotation to plate 19. Cosmetic split at rear pastedown and minor scuffing to spine label; a close to near fine copy, lacking the jacket, with errata slip tipped-in at front. Housed in half-leather clamshell with gilt lettering to spine. An extraordinary association copy; Frank's own copy of his model photobook, warmly inscribed by Evans.. First Edition. Small quarto. INSCRIBED by Walker Evans to Robert Frank to front endpaper: "Robert Frank. Where did you get this book[?]. I would happily give it to you, for good reasons, if I had a copy. W.E." Arguably the most significant association copy of (truncated) Evans' landmark photobook, documenting one of the art form's most consequential lines of influence. In his 1958 Statement published in U.S. Camera- introducing his own landmark work, The Americans-the Swiss-born Frank directly acknowledged his debt to Evans: "The work of two contemporary photographers, Bill Brandt of England and the American, Walker Evans, have influenced me. When I first looked at Walker Evans' photographs, I thought of something Malraux wrote: 'To transform destiny into awareness.' One is embarrassed to want so much for oneself. But, how else are you going to justify your failure and your effort? (Inventory #: 23347)