David Bowie Photo Archive

[London, et al.]: [London Features International Press Agency], 1991. Near fine.. Archive of original photographs from the London Features International press agency, documenting David Bowie's career over an approximately 30-year span and focusing heavily on the later years of the 1970s. The earliest images show Bowie circa 1962-3 with his first band -- in performance, lounging alone with saxophone, or having his hair tousled by a Kon-rads bandmate in a posed group shot. From there, the archive progresses through the end of the 1980s, with the bulk of the collection concentrating on the mid- to late '70s as Bowie entered his Thin White Duke period and, through 1976-79, appeared to grow more glamorous and vampiric by the hour.

Most images show Bowie in rehearsal or performance around the Station to Station / Berlin trilogy era(s) but a substantial minority capture him out and about, including one striking image from a Moscow street. Several pictures show Bowie with other famous (Keith Richards, Tina Turner, John McEnroe) or once-famous figures (the actress Sydne Rome). Many include a notation on the place or context, as well as date -- e.g.: "David Bowie at the play "Hurlyburly" at the Westwood Playhouse / Dec 2, 1988" -- and the vast majority of undated photographs can be easily placed within a year or two by tracking the width and enormity of the trousers.

The latest-dated photograph in the collection was taken at the American Cinematheque's Moving Picture Ball at the Century Plaza Hotel, in 1991. 52 original black and white photographs, of which six are 8'' x 6'' and the rest 8'' by 10''. Agency stamps on verso; some photos also include dates and/or photographers' names in ink on verso. Minimal wear; a very few photos show a faint corner crease or edge toning, with some tape remnants to versos. Near fine overall.