Bettmann Moments

by Otto L. Bettmann (Photographer)

Bettmann Moments captures in one lustrous volume the indelible images of the twentieth century-from young John F. Kennedy, Jr.'s salute to his fallen father, Marilyn Monroe posed above the subway grating, and Amelia Earhart in aviation gear to classic shots of everyday people doing distinctly everyday things. Incorporating an enormous range of genres, the collection features Hollywood icons and world-class sports heroes, momentous historical events and unforgettable cultural figures, and international landmarks like Egypt's Khufu's Pyramid and Nevada's Hoover Dam. Published to commemorate the birth of Otto Bettmann, one of the world's first and most revered photographic archivists, this treasury of extraordinary images offers a rare glimpse at the century's triumphs and tragedies, and provides a loving portrait of a multifaceted, deeply complex global culture.

Genres: Photography

238 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Otto Ludwig Bettmann, known as "The Picture Man," was the founder of the Bettmann Archive. Bettmann is considered to have "virtually invented the image resource business."
In 1921, he enrolled in the University of Leipzig and studied history, German literature, and philosophy. At that time a university education consisted of spending time at a number of schools. Otto went to Freiburg for two years then returned to Leipzig to complete his dissertation. His title, "The Emergence of Professional Ethics in the German Book Trade of the Eighteenth Century" addressed the issue of copyright legislation. In retrospect this thesis became the raison d'être of his life and his claim to posterity.
In 1935, he immigrated to the United States from Nazi-controlled Germany, "arriving with a few personal effects and two steamer trunks bursting with photographs, line drawings, engravings, and art reproductions."
He spent the next five decades adding to his collection of images and meeting some of the cultural icons of the times such as Alfred Kinsey, Peter Max, and Stanley Marcus, a diverse collection of people. Artists, musicians, writers and people from all over the world would write to him, often sending little gifts.

Reviews

[J.D. Steens]

Photos from his archive. First half of the book are a nice collection. The photo of the Burmese women with rings around their neck startles. The Gentlemen of Position photo - the title captures perfectly. The Eiffel Tower picture is empty of people at its base. Scooter picture from Miami to Chicago, includes a wife, belongings and a baby. Singing sisters photo from 1927 - they are still beautiful. Soldiers at war, kids playing war - the juxtaposition is good. German spy Mata Hari - sex sells; poster picture juxtaposed says this. Sputnik photo - elegant little thing that was a transforming, historical first. Photo of nuclear test cloud follows a couple of pages later. Dramatic, as was French Officer mapping terrain from a high up balloon.

Photos in second half of the book were not good. Gimmicky.

[Garci]

Iconic photographs from the last century in this beautiful coffee table book.