Photographs from Detroit Collections, edited by Julia Henshaw with texts by Frederick J. Cummings and Ellen Sharp.

Detroit Institute of Arts, 1983. Uncommon exhibition catalog; 1,500 copies printed. With signed letter by editor laid in. Twenty illustrations, including cover.  Back of book provides a checklist of 132 works in the exhibition inaugurating the Albert and Peggy De Salle Gallery at the Detroit Institute of Arts, October 5-November 27, 1983. Good plus, with edge wear on stiff wraps, interior fine. Handwritten signed letter laid in from Julia Henshaw, the Director of Publications for the Detroit Institute of Arts, to the original owner, suggesting that the photos be cut out and hung up since the reproduction quality is so good.  The owners did not follow her suggestion and all pages are present.  The illustrations are by the following: Tina Modotti (cover); Anonymous; Edward Weston; Wynn Bullock; Thomas Eakins; Julia Margaret Cameron; Carleton Watkins; Bisson Fréres; Gustave Le Gray; Hill and Adamson; Alfred Stieglitz; Paul Strand; Edward Steichen; René Magritte; Arnold Genthe; George Seeley; Anna Atkins; Harry Callahan; André Kertész; and Irving Penn.  Summary:

Photographs from Detroit Collections, edited by Julia Henshaw, is a scholarly exhibition catalogue published by the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA). It serves as a comprehensive survey of the history of photography, curated entirely from private and public collections within the Detroit area.

Key Focus Areas

• Historical Breadth: The book traces the evolution of the medium from the early 19th-century daguerreotypes to contemporary 20th-century works.

• Curatorial Vision: Through essays by Frederick J. Cummings and Ellen Sharp, the text explores the aesthetic and technical shifts in photography, highlighting Detroit's role as a significant hub for art collecting.

• Diverse Masters: It features seminal works by iconic photographers, including:

  • Alfred Stieglitz and the Photo-Secessionists.

  • Walker Evans and the documentary tradition.

  • Edward Weston and the F/64 group.

  • European masters such as Henri Cartier-Bresson.

Themes and Impact

The volume emphasizes the interplay between technology and art, documenting how photography transitioned from a scientific curiosity to a recognized fine art. By focusing on local collections, Henshaw demonstrates that Detroit’s cultural landscape was deeply invested in the photographic medium long before it became a mainstay of major global museums.

Summary Note: The book is more than a simple gallery guide; it is a testament to the sophisticated "eye" of Detroit’s collectors and a rigorous academic look at how light and chemistry have shaped visual culture.