J.H. Engstrom: Trying to Dance and Signed/Framed Print "Radon, 2001"

This is the true first edition of the critically acclaimed photobook “Trying to Dance” published by Journal Stockholm, Sweden in 2003. Accompanying the book is the signature photograph from the book “Radon, 2001” which is framed and signed by J.H. Engstrom with a limitation of 20 with this being number 5.

About the Book

“Trying to Dance” is one of the most highly regarded photobooks published in the past decade. In their book, “The Photobook: A History” Parr and Badger wrote: "Trying to Dance is a masterpiece of enigma and indeterminacy, a tone set by the cover picture. A young couple stand together in a field, the girl in a short white dress, a scarf or veil on her head, and a bunch of white flowers in her hand. It is probably a wedding photograph--but we cannot be certain...Trying to Dance seems to be in the vanguard of a new genre that depicts a veiled, oblique, almost novelistic view of modern life, especially modern relationships, apparently offering frankness and disclosure yet actually remaining extremely guarded”.

Measuring approximately 12.5” by 10” and containing 56 color and 39 black-and-white full page photographs printed on thick coated stock paper, the book is bound in black cloth covered boards with a full-page photographic reproduction pasted in front and metallic-silver titles on the cover and spine. The book is housed in a custom handmade gray cloth slipcase.

The book and slipcase are in FINE condition.

About the Photograph

“Radon, 2001” is one of the photographs contained in “Trying to Dance” and is frequently cited as one of J.H. Engstrom’s most iconic photographs. The silver gelatin print measures 23.5” x 19.5” and is housed in a custom frame made by Absolute! Frameworks, Culver City, CA using museum grade materials. The print was released in an edition of 20 with this being number 5. The print is signed and titled by J.H. Engstrom on the verso.

The frame is in FINE condition. The print is in FINE- condition with a few minor surface imperfections and some thin scratches that can be seen in racking light. This is a very large photograph and the faults listed are minimal and do not detract from the print.

Photographs of the print in the frame, the signature treatment, and the book appear in the photo section of the listing.