Near East.
London: B.T. Batsford, 1943. First edition. 8vo. viii, 149, (1) pp. Publisher's orange cloth, yellow lettered to the spine and upper board, dust jacket, inscribed by Beaton on the front free endpaper "To Hugh Francis, without whose help...", an autograph letter signed from him also affixed to the verso of the final leaf with a corresponding response from Francis loosely inserted. Numerous black and white photographs. The jacket worn with loss to the lower half of the spine, some fading to the cloth where it has been exposed. Francis was the Director of Photography for the Ministry of Information at the onset of the Second World War and commissioned the likes of Beaton and Bill Brandt to record the wartime effort. In his "Author's Note" here Beaton singles out Francis for "his enthusiasm and support" and Beaton evidently gifted this volume as a further sign of his gratitude. Nearly thirty years later Francis was interviewed by David Bailey for the documentary "Bailey on Beaton" (1971), appearing roughly 20 minutes into the programme to discuss Beaton's wartime work. Beaton mentions in his letter (dated April 4th on Reddish House headed paper) that he has seen rough rushes of Francis' contribution, expressing thanks for his kind words and stating that he "came out extremely well but then so did I!" He closes the letter: "I am most grateful & deeply pleased that you thought well of me at that strange & historical time". Francis' reply is dated nine days later and is likely a draft response, there being numerous crossing-outs and amendments. He expresses his pleasure at being able to honour Beaton's work and notes a recent Times article suggesting Beaton's "photographic eye & finger have lost none of their cunning". A delightful provenance. Item #53019
Price: £675.00