First Ed 1901 PHOTOGRAPHY AS A FINE ART Charles Caffin - Photographic Art In America

New York: Doubleday, Page & Company, 1901. 4to. 8" x 10 1/2". 191 pages. Original green cloth, gilt-lettered on front cover and spine. Wear to spine ends and bumping to corners. Missing ffep (possibly where academic library stamp had existed.) Some age toning to text block. Illustrated throughout.
A landmark at its time of publication, Caffin's book is still one of the most informative and authoritative appraisals of the American photographers who later became the Photo Secession. Singling out Alfred Stieglitz, Edward Steichen, Gertrude Kasebier and Clarence H. White, Caffin was writing as an insider, with intimate knowledge of the artists that adds life and vitality to his critical appreciation of their work. Born in England, Caffin emigrated to the U.S. in 1892. He became the American editor of 'The Studio' and his articles on art and photography were widely published in journals and magazines. He first became acquainted with some of the photographers he studies in this book when he wrote criticism of the Philadelphia Salon of 1898, an important exhibition for which Stieglitz and two Philadelphia painters served as judges. Clarence H. White exhibited for the first time in this show.
VERY SCARCE.