Sanders, Norman. At Home. Photographs by Norman Sanders.

Morgan & Morgan, 1977.  Presumed first edition, no later printings indicated.  Wraps, very good with covers curling and slight edge wear.  According to Arthur Rothstein, these at-home black-and-white portraits “are commendable for their lack of pretense, their superb technique and their subtle perception.  Through these images in the documentary tradition, we discover in the lives of ordinary folk, rare and unique qualities.” The men and women are not identified in the book.  Sanders photographed them in various home locations, including living rooms, work spaces, on beds, and one in a bathtub. 95 pages, with photographs one to a page. Summary:

At Home, published in 1977 by Morgan & Morgan, is a compelling photographic study by Norman Sanders that documents the diverse inhabitants of a single American community—Rockland County, New York—within the sanctuary of their own homes.

The Concept

The book is a formal exercise in environmental portraiture. Sanders spent years photographing his neighbors, acquaintances, and strangers, capturing them in the spaces where they felt most "themselves."

• Uniform Presentation: Each subject is photographed in black and white, usually centered in the frame, looking directly at the camera.

• The "Unposed" Pose: While the subjects are aware of the camera, Sanders captures a stillness and honesty that strips away public pretension.

• Democratic Scope: The collection is notable for its socioeconomic range, featuring everyone from wealthy homeowners in sprawling estates to working-class families in modest apartments.

Key Themes

• Domestic Archeology: The "star" of each photo is often the background. Sanders provides a detailed look at 1970s interior design—wood-paneled walls, shag carpets, cluttered bookshelves, and kitschy decor—treating these objects as extensions of the human personality.

• The American Identity: By focusing on the domestic sphere, the book explores themes of privacy, comfort, and the "American Dream" during a decade of social transition.

• Non-Judgmental Observation: Sanders avoids editorializing; he presents each household with equal technical care, allowing the viewer to draw their own conclusions about the lives lived within the walls.

Significance

At Home is frequently compared to the work of August Sander or Diane Arbus, but with a gentler, more communal spirit. It serves as an invaluable sociological archive of the 1970s, proving that the most profound insights into human nature are often found in the mundane details of our living rooms.