The collected works of Raymond Meeks

The collected works of Raymond Meeks

by bill purvis

Who has not got a photobook by Stephen Shore or Alec Soth on their bookshelf?

I am certain the majority of photobook collectors would.

Art Collectors, of the painting type, may acquire works by one particular  artist either

directly from the artist or through a gallery. I decided to research with this objective, 

to focus on collecting the work of one photographer.

I do not have unlimited funds but I am a collector.

How did I research at the time? I think Photoeye and Nazraeli Press were two resources,

and Google , ebay, AbeBooks and Book Depository. 

I came upon a book which caught my attention, 'Sound of Summer Running',

publ: Nazraeli, author: Raymond Meeks.
The work appealed as a representation of the nostalgic idylls  of childhood with
an old worldly charm.

The trade issue comprised 1000 copies, and a clam shell boxed limited edition 

of 50 signed copies, with prints limited to 5 sets of 10 prints each.

The print 'Crow, Fence, Montana. 2001' appealed to me.

I had missed the original 2004 issue date, my research commenced later, but copies

were available online from book dealers and one was acquired. Not an inexpensive

purchase but the exchange rate in $USD and $AUD was on par.

This then set me on the road to focus on collecting works by Raymond Meeks.

I became aware of earlier issues and subscribed to later issues directly from 

Raymond Meeks through his web site. http://www.raymondmeeks.com/

Raymond appreciated my subscription and I his personal notes of Thanks.

His appropriated, deconstructed, reconstructed, redacted, tactile individually unique 

small issue rare works are treasured. The individually crafted box in which his work 

'where objects fall away' was packaged is an objet d'art in itself. I adore it with the 

photo of his beloved dog Jake on the front.

The crafted boxes are great for protecting and storing the works on my shelves.

This book limited to just 14 copies is particularly prized by me.

Because of the small edition sizes I think my collection is enviable.

Currently the exchange rate of $1AUD = $0.659USD makes purchasing prohibitive.

The book I bought on par would now cost me $AUD1402.00 but the last sale of the 

rare 'where objects fall away' was $USD1750 so Im glad I have the very ltd edn #7/14.

Self portrait - reading 'Sound of Summer Running' 

A slideshow of books, prints and cards - the collected works of Raymond Meeks