Such a deal! "FAMOUS FACES" by Arnold Weissberger

If you have an interest in portraits (as I do) of the greats of arts and literature of the 20th Century, one of the finest books I've come across is called "Famous Faces," by L. Arnold Weissberger.  Published in 1973, it is an enormous (6 pounds!) "coffee table" volume, illustrated with 1,500 photos, 642 of them in color. Weissberger was a theatrical attorney in the latter half of the 1900's and seemingly knew everyone, in New York, Hollywood, London and beyond...and photographed them as well.  You'll get candid glimpses of celebrities ranging from Noel Coward to Gloria Swanson; Douglas Fairbanks Jr. to George Balanchine.  Orson Welles...Alice B. Toklas (to whom he was very close)...and everyone in between.  The photos are annotated with interesting notes, too.  To recreate a volume this weighty and lavishly done today would surely have a price-tag of atleast $200.  But believe it or not, one can buy it on Amazon.com for.....A DOLLAR FIFTY (plus $3.99 postage--despite the fact that it weighs 6 lbs.!).  That's for a used copy, which is what I got, and maybe I got lucky, but it's in "as new" condition.  This would make a great gift for the arts-lover in your life....even if that person is yourself!  HIGHLY recommended!  Here's the link to the book on Amazon, followed by a few photos from the book:   http://www.amazon.com/Famous-faces-photograph-personal-reminiscences/dp/0810901153/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1296865620&sr=1-4


John Gielgud, 1962

Noel Coward, 1958

Mia Farrow, 1962