As we mentioned earlier, with the end of summer comes the fair season, and we’re in full swing. After last week’s Unseen Photo Fair in Amsterdam, the NY Art Book Fair is starting today, at MoMA PS1. Almost 300 exhibitors from around the world will be showcasing their wares, which means that it will be almost impossible to take everything in at once. Still, we’ve selected five booths worth checking out if you decide to stop by. (Also, take note: across the street, there will be a special exhibition of Japanese photobooks!)
Little Big Man (http://littlebigmanbooks.com/)
Where they’re from: San Francisco, CA
Why you should care: Little Big Man only publishes photobooks in small runs, but the design and production values are extremely high. Early this year, we ran some photos of Nick Waplington’s “Surf Riot,” which looks just as incredible in print.
Recommended book: “Surf Riot”
From Surf Riot
**The Ice Plant **(http://www.theiceplant.cc/)
Where they’re from: Los Angeles, CA
Why you should care: The Ice Plant produces books with a minimal design and a California kind of feel.
Recommended book: “Animals That Saw Me” by Ed Panar
**Edition Patrick Frey **(http://www.editionpatrickfrey.com/)
Where they’re from: Zurich, Switzerland
Why you should care: Edition Patrick Frey publishes beautifully-made books by artists who aren’t yet established.
Recommended book: “The Great Unreal” by Taiyo Onorato and Nico Krebs
From The Great Unreal
**SO BOOKS **(http://www.book-oga.com/)
Where they’re from: Tokyo, Japan
Why you should care: SO BOOKS is one of the best-curated used bookstores in Tokyo. The owner is extremely nice, and if you give him a rough idea of what you like, he’ll be happy to suggest something for you.
Recommended book: Anything by Nobuyoshi Araki
Harper’s Books (http://www.harpersbooks.com/)
Where they’re from: East Hampton, NY
Why you should care: Harper’s Books is perhaps the most well-known seller of rare photobooks in the world. If you’ve ever dreamed of owning a first edition of The Americans, this could be your big chance.
Recommended book: John Gossage’s “The Code,” the store’s first venture into publishing, which we featured on American Photo