Peter Stackpole: Life in Hollywood
Monograph / Art Book / Photographic Publication • Peter Stackpole (Photographer); Foreword by George P. Hunt
Style & Movement
Golden Age of Hollywood / Photojournalism / Documentary Photography
Medium & Technique
Cased-in hardcover book with red cloth binding, gold foil-stamped lettering, and internal offset lithography on semi-gloss paper.
Creation Period
Published in 1992
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 12 x 9 inches; Portrait orientation; rectangular hardbound volume.
Subject Description
A comprehensive collection of photographs by one of Life Magazine's original staff photographers. The content focuses on candid behind-the-scenes images of Hollywood stars, film sets, and social life in California during the 1930s-1950s.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Very Good. The cloth binding shows minimal wear; however, the original dust jacket is missing in this view.
Estimated Market Value
$30 - $75 USD (depending on presence of dust jacket and condition of internal plates)
Auction Estimate
$20 - $50 USD
Provenance History
Likely acquired through a commercial book dealer or private estate sale; common in libraries and private photography collections.
Art Historical Significance
Peter Stackpole was a pioneer of small-format (35mm) photography. This volume captures the transition of Hollywood from a controlled studio image to a more humanized, candid aesthetic, and serves as a vital archival record of mid-century American celebrity culture.
Notable Features
Minimalist red buckram cover with high-contrast gold typography; published by Bulfinch Press (Little, Brown and Company).
Condition Issues
Absence of dust jacket impacts collector value; minor potential for sun-fading or corner bumping on the spine; potential internal yellowing of page edges.
Conservation Recommendations
Store upright in a temperature-controlled environment away from direct sunlight. Minimal handling of internal plates to prevent transfer of skin oils.