Can a book also be a tiny gem? Most certainly!
I don’t write about my books all that often, and never write about a book by the same photographer within a short span … but this is special! In the video interview of Jeff Dunas that inspired me to feature American Pictures, he mentioned a book he had done with Nazraeli Press. It intrigued me so much I had to get a copy ASAP!
Highway 61 to Honeyboy is a small limited edition book published by Nazraeli Press and it’s like nothing I own. Part of it’s One Picture Book Series, it’s made of the best materials, is limited to 500 numbered copies, and includes a removable, signed, original 5×7 print by Dunas that is slightly smaller than the book itself. When I first held the book in my hands it I felt like I was looking at a handmade object of art and a beautiful portfolio at the same time. At $60 it’s both a wonder and a gift!
According to the publisher, “US Highway 61 runs for 1,400 miles between New Orleans, Louisiana and the city of Wyoming, Minnesota, generally following the course of the Mississippi River. This highway has been referenced in the lyrics of music by myriad artists with roots in the region. The junction of US 61 and US 49 in Clarksdale is the mythical crossroads where, according to legend, Robert Johnson sold his soul to the Devil in exchange for mastery of the blues guitar style.
The Blues Highway portion of Highway 61 follows its path North from New Orleans to Chicago, passing through Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, past the western tip of Tennessee and through Missouri. It was here where Jeff Dunas headed in the mid-1990s to photograph many of the true blues legends for his portfolio and monograph State of the Blues.
For his contribution to our One Picture Book series, Jeff Dunas has retraced his steps from that journey, presenting here a selection of landscapes and portraits with accompanying texts describing what he saw, and why it is as important as ever.”
Yes, there are only eleven pictures in the book and yes it’s small, but short of a few even more limited edition softbound books I own, it’s like nothing I have and a new prized possession.
In a time of meaningless mass produced schlock and AI generated sensory insanity, this is a little breath of fresh air and something to be savored while sitting in a comfortable chair.
I love this book!
Stay well,
Michael