MY NORTHWEST

Seattle: Superior Publishing Co, 1970. First edition. Hardcover. Bound in imitation black leather with gilt title and author on front cover. A very good plus copy. Josef Scaylea. 4to. 56 photographs. Laid into this copy is a print, measuring 10 x 11 inches of #31, "In the bronze sunset of a late Summer evening a sailboat glides homeward to its moorage on Shilshole Bay. 1969." Josef Scaylea's photographs were always true to his vision. "I strive for beauty in its myriad forms and for faithful reproduction which will carry a special message to each person. I believe photography cannot be effective unless it is completely honest and without gimmicks." True to his immigrant heritage from the village of La Costa in the mountains of Northern Italy, simplicity, focus, and dedication to hard work were hallmarks of his life and his photography. He grew up working from dawn until dusk in the family orchard in South Glastonbury, Connecticut. His gutsy immigrant traits led him to leave the farm to study photography in New York in the mid thirties. Serving in the Army Air Corps in World War II, he photographed missions over Japan, Okinawa and the Philippines. Stationed at Paine Field and Moses Lake, Washington he discovered the great Northwest, vowing to make it home. He never left his Northwest home until he died in 2004 at the age of 91. Chief Photgrapher for the Seattle Times for 35 years, he won awards from Look, Life, Graflex, and the National Press Photographers Association. He taught and mentored many aspiring photographers, including Jerry Gay, who became a Pulitzer Prize winner. However, his greatest satisfaction was the joy his photographs brought to his viewers. Until shortly before his death, his camera was still in his hand - at the ready for the next great shot - photographing the sports, the people and the great scenic Northwest he so loved. A four-line gift inscription to the half-title page, another, this one at the bottom of the page is from the author, "For Hank and Elaine" signed by the photographer and dated "6-19-70"