Arcana:

(PARR, MARTIN). Parr, Martin. London: Chris Boot Ltd., 2004. First Edition. Folio. Tabloid Format Wrappers in Bag. Fine.. np (36pp), 35 color illustrations. Designed by SMITH. This quirky, oversized publication was produced by renowned British photographer Martin Parr to coincide with an exhibition at the 2004 Rencontre D'Arles Photography Festival of watches he has collected depicting the image of Saddam Hussein. Limited to five hundred copies only for general distribution beyond the festival, it is in the format of a 15 x 12" tabloid newspaper containing thirty-four full page images (on high quality paper) of an individual timepiece against a cream colored background. Most originate from Iraq (collected from markets by Parr's photojournalist friends) where watches with photographic portraits of Saddam were an iconic and common symbol of his regime. A few are American parodies manufactured as souvenirs of the war and Saddam's subsequent capture. There is also a single gold pocket watch featuring Osama Bin Laden pictured in tandem with a similar one of Saddam, but we particularly covet the gold, diamond-encrusted Rolex Oyster model! A brand new, most handsome example enclosed in the publisher's printed gold Mylar pouch additionally SIGNED "Martin Parr" in black ink on the rear cover. Inventory Number: 019215