Fine Books & Manuscripts

SMITH, W. Eugene (1918–1978) and SMITH, Aileen Mioko (b. 1950). Minamata. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1975. 4to. Numerous black and white illustrations after photographs by W. Eugene Smith. Original publisher’s pictorial wrappers (cellophane chipped at extreme edges of covers). FIRST PAPERBACK EDITION, showing the effects of Minamata disease caused by severe Mercury poisoning from chemicals dumped into Minamata Bay by the Chisso Corporation. SIGNED BY W. EUGENE SMITH AND AILEEN M. SMITH on half title. W. Eugene Smith began documenting the effects of Minamata disease in Minamata, Japan from 1971–73. His photograph Tomoko and Mother in the Bath became known the world over as a symbol of its devastating effects.