Antiquarian Auctions

Auction #130 begins on 09 Apr 2026

Cartier-Bresson (Henri)

THE DECISIVE MOMENT

photography by Henri Cartier-Bresson

Published: Simon and Schuster, New York, 1952

Reserve: $1,000

Approximately:

Estimate: $1500-1750

Bidding opens: 9 Apr 16:30 GMT

Bidding closes: 16 Apr 16:30 GMT

Ships from: South Africa

Lot 11 preview

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158 pages, black and white photographs, front and back hinges weak at endpapers, tape stains on endpapers, ownership signature on front free endpaper, f.f.e.p. creased, hardback, two dustjackets present, the first being foxed with some creases and tears, the second being a later printing with reviews on back flap, price-clipped

Includes 12 page booklet "The Decisive Moment / Captions"

Described by many as the most important and influential photobook of the twentieth century.  

From the colophon: "This book, with a cover designed and executed especially for it by Henri Matisse, is a selection of 126 photographs from the work of Henri Cartier-Bresson. The French edition by Verve (Images a la Sauvette) and the American Edition by Simon and Schister (The Decisive Moment), were conceived and composed by Teriade with the collaboration of Marguerite Lang. The engraving and printing is the work of the master printers Draeger Freres of Paris. It was completed the 22nd of July, 1952." 

  • Size: Folio (372 x 284 mm)


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