blog.mathewsmith.com
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Helmut Newton’s - SUMO.
A Documentary from 2000, on the making of the most expensive book ever, a film by Julian Benedikt.
“Sumo” was more than just expensive, it was a huge undertaking - it weighted in at 66lbs, was 28 inches tall and came with its own steel stand to look at it on. Only 10,000 were printed and each was signed by Newton Himself.
At the time of printing of the first edition in 1999, it sold for $5000 - now if you’re able to find one - they go for $15,000 (or more, many on eBay are at buy it now prices of $25,000)
It was also the most expensive book ever sold at auction, the one of a kind first book printed in its 10,000 run had over 100 of Newtons iconic celebrity photos signed. It sold at auction for $430,000 - making it the most expensive book published in the 20th century.
Watch the rest here, in the original german dubbed version of the documentry :
Part one, two, three, four, five and six.
Or, a smaller, 10th anniversary edit with english subtitles can be seen here :
