The Appalachian Photographs Of Doris Ulmann

Art, Design & Photography

The Appalachian Photographs of Doris Ulmann gathers the pioneering photographer’s sensitive late-1920s portraits of Eastern Kentucky weavers, musicians, and farmers into one affordable 1971 vintage paperback. Shot in soft early light with her large-format camera, Ulmann’s images helped define documentary photography and still shape how collectors picture Appalachian culture today.

This edition pairs her plates with field notes by folklorist John Jacob Niles, adding context on the singers and ballad makers she met along remote creeks. Together their collaboration offers a dual lens—visual and musical—into a vanishing way of life, making the book a sought-after reference for photography buffs, folk-art enthusiasts, and regional historians alike.

Expect gentle edge wear, surface scuffs, and a short tear at the top of the pictorial cover; the binding remains tight and every gravure is crisp. A neat gift inscription on the inside front cover and a small owner stamp are the only interior marks—no ex-library clutter or foxing to speak of. A couple of pages show a minute speck, barely noticeable against the rich duotone plates.

An inviting copy for readers who love vintage photography books, Appalachian art, or the early documentary tradition pioneered by Ulmann and her contemporaries.