James Dean Fifty Years Ago 2005 Signed by Photographer First Edition Hardcover
Price range: $413.00 through $433.00
🚀 James Dean Fifty Years Ago — Signed First Edition by Magnum Photographer Dennis Stock
*A rare signed copy of the definitive Dennis Stock photography book, 50 years after Dean’s death*
**ABOUT THIS BOOK**
Published in 2005 by Harry N. Abrams, Inc., this volume marks the fiftieth anniversary of James Dean’s death and collects the iconic photographs Dennis Stock took of the actor between 1955 and 1956. Stock — a full member of Magnum Photos since 1954 — met Dean at the Château Marmont in Hollywood in 1953 and went on to produce some of the most enduring images of the actor ever made. The book includes an introduction by photographer Joe Hyams and Stock’s own memoir of his friendship with Dean.
**THE PHOTOGRAPHS**
128 pages of full-bleed black and white photography. The cover features Stock’s famous image of Dean walking away on a rain-slicked New York street, with the “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” CinemaScope marquee visible in the background. Interior spreads include Dean on the set of Rebel Without a Cause, seated at the Winslow farmhouse dining table, playing bongo drums for an audience of cattle and pigs at the Fairmount farm, and a rare look inside an Actors Studio session — Lee Strasberg “almost never let anyone photograph his classes.” Additional photographs show Dean in profile wearing glasses, at formal social gatherings, and in candid behind-the-scenes moments.
**WHY IT MATTERS**
– Signed by Dennis Stock in ink on the half-title page — only signed copy available online at time of listing
– First edition, published by Harry N. Abrams, one of the most respected art book publishers
– Editor: Christopher Sweet; Designer: Ellen Nygaard; ISBN 0-8109-5903-8
– Stock’s photographs of Dean are held in major museum collections and have kept Dean’s legacy alive for seven decades
– Publishers Weekly: “Stock’s own brief memoir of his friendship with Dean is well written, evocative and insightful”
**FOR COLLECTORS**
A signed copy of a Dennis Stock book from Abrams is a significant acquisition for any James Dean or photography collector. Stock’s images defined the public’s visual memory of Dean — the rain-soaked street, the leather jacket, the restless intensity — and this first edition in very good condition with the photographer’s signature makes it a standout piece.
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**CONDITION:**
“James Dean Fifty Years Ago” by Dennis Stock, published in 2005 by Abrams, profusely illustrated with richly reproduced black and white images of Mr. Dean, 128 pages.
First edition, signed by Mr. Stock on the half-title page. Only signed copy available online at the time of listing.
This is a “very good plus” or better vintage hardcover with a solid binding. No loose, torn or folded pages. Aside from the artist signature, no marks or writing. Super crisp.
Matching vintage dust wrapper has light edge and surface wear. Not price clipped, with publisher’s price inside front flap. No significant flaws, general minimal shelving wear.
See accompanying images for full condition details.
Will ship promptly, carefully packaged.
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HFB-SEO-v1: 2026-06-25
Additional information
| Weight | 64 oz |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 14 × 10.5 × 2 in |
| Shipping Options | Standard w- Tracking, Tracking + Insurance, Priority + Insurance |





















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