Fantagraphics
LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING THE JAZZ PHOTOGRAPHY OF DON SCHLITTEN
LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING THE JAZZ PHOTOGRAPHY OF DON SCHLITTEN
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ABOUT
Don Schlitten was working as a photographer and commercial artist in New York City when he co-founded Signal Records in 1955. When Signal was folded into Prestige Records shortly thereafter, Bob Weinstock, head of Prestige, enlisted Don to produce music, photograph musicians, and design album covers. His name graces the album covers of over 400 records produced between the 1950s and 1980s, either as producer, photographer, or album designer, often all three.This book features over 100 photos, personally selected by Don Schlitten as his personal best, many unseen, others familiar as album covers but given new context in their original format. Featuring icons of jazz like Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, Ella Fitzgerald, Sonny Rollins, and Frank Sinatra, it also includes candid photos of such unsung giants of jazz as Booker Ervin, Eric Dolphy, Mal Waldron, Don Patterson, Etta Jones, and Sonny Criss and more.The book includes a biographical essay written by jazz scribe Ted Panken with an introduction by the “Jazz Detective” himself, Zev Feldman. As an extra bonus, this book features an American Splendor comic strip that features Don educating Harvey Pekar, as well as a gallery of Don’s personal favorite top 30 album covers.
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STANDARD, PRIMARY, DM AND VARIANT COVERS
Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.
In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.
The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.
PRODUCT TYPES
Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:
Omnibus
- Large, hardcover collections
- Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
- Typically 800-1000+ pages
- Higher price point, often €100-€150
Oversized Hardcover (OHC)
- Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
- Collect shorter runs or story arcs
- Usually 300-600 pages
- Priced between €30-€50
Hardcover (HC)
- Standard-sized hardcover books
- Collect 6-12 issues typically
- Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
- Priced around €25-€35
Trade Paperback (TP)
- Softcover collections
- Standard comic book size
- Usually collect 4-6 issues
- Most affordable option, typically €15-€25
Other Formats
- Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
- Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
- Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues
The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs