Fine Books & Manuscripts

[CHICAGO WORLD’S FAIR]. KAUFMANN, Charles and FABRY, Herman, photographers. A Century of Progress International Exposition, Chicago 1933–1934. [Chicago: Kaufmann–Fabry Photographers, ca. 1934]. Folio. 51 large gelatin photographs on heavy matte paper, penciled captions lower margin. Lacking presentation leaf. Publisher’s full blue–grey morocco ruled and lettered in gilt in an Art Deco design with the recipient’s name stamped on upper cover, blue silk moiré endpapers, spine gilt, gilt–stamped by Arthur Hertzberg (spine a little darkened); original full blue morocco gilt slipcase. Provenance: Stephen Hudson (“Sydney Schiff”) (1868–1944), British novelist, translator, and patron of the arts in the modernist movement including key figures James Joyce, T.S. Eliot, and Aldous Huxley. PRESENTATION COPY to Sydney Schiff, of a highly limited issue souvenir album which was considered “BY FAR THE MOST BEAUTIFUL” SOUVENIR OF THE CENTURY OF PROGRESS EXPOSITION. Produced by the fair’s official photographers, these remarkable images captured “a new style of architecture, art deco” and is a “splendid sample” of the photographer’s artistry. Hirschland, Caxton Chicago by the Book 56, pp. 126–127.