Gary Saretzky Photo Books
Gambee, Robert. Princeton by Robert Gambee. Introduction by Robert F. Goheen, President, Princeton University.
Gambee, Robert. Princeton by Robert Gambee. Introduction by Robert F. Goheen, President, Princeton University.
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W.W. Norton & Co.., 1993. Revised edition. 272 pages. Hardcover, with protected, price-clipped dust jacket, with light indentations from someone writing on a piece of paper over it, otherwise like new. SIGNED on front flyleaf rather illegibly, presumed to be Gambee's signature. Profusely illustrated with Gambee's color photographs, accompanied by his detailed captions. Chapters on the history of Princeton, New Jersey, including a section on Lawrenceville; The Town of Princeton; Schools and Research Centers, including the Chapin School, Princeton Theological Seminary, Westminster Choir College, Lawrenceville School, Institute for Advanced Study, et al.; and Princeton University. Includes Index and Bibliography. A heavy, substantial book of excellent photographs and informative texts. Summary:
Princeton (1987, revised 1993) by Robert Gambee, featuring an introduction by Robert F. Goheen (President of the University from 1957–1972), is a comprehensive photographic tribute to one of America’s most storied academic institutions. The book serves as both a visual archive and a "biography of place," capturing the Gothic architecture, sprawling landscapes, and the lived traditions of Princeton University and its surrounding town.
Core Themes and Narrative
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The "Ivy League" Aesthetic: Gambee focuses on the "timelessness" of the campus. He documents the evolution of the University’s architecture—from the colonial simplicity of Nassau Hall to the intricate Collegiate Gothic spires—presenting the physical environment as a silent partner in the pursuit of knowledge.
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Continuity and Tradition: The book highlights the seasonal rhythms of student life, including the "P-rade," reunions, and rowing on Lake Carnegie. Goheen’s introduction provides the moral and intellectual framework, arguing that the beauty of the campus is designed to inspire a "sense of place" and public service.
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The Town and Gown: Unlike purely academic surveys, Gambee includes the broader Princeton community. He captures the quiet, refined elegance of the town's residential streets and local landmarks, showing the symbiotic relationship between the laboratory of the mind and the comfort of the home.
Visual and Technical Style
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Luminous Clarity: Gambee’s style is classic and reverent. Utilizing natural light to emphasize the texture of the argillite stone and the vibrant colors of the changing seasons, the photographs provide a "Romantic-Technical" record that is both sharp and emotionally resonant.
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The "Architectural" Eye: The book is noted for its clean, symmetrical compositions that honor the intent of the original campus planners and architects. It avoids the "snapshot" chaos of the 1970s, opting instead for a respectful compositions that mirror the University’s own prestige.
