CLAXTON, William (1927-2008) and Joachim E. BERENDT (1922-2000). Jazz Life. Auf den Spuren des Jazz. Offenburg: Burda Druck und Verlag, 1961.

First edition, signed by photographer William Claxton on the title page, gifted to Charlie Watts by Mick Jagger. The book records a 1960 cross-country tour of America undertaken by German writer Joachim Berendt and photographer William Claxton in search of jazz. Berendt’s words accompany Claxton’s arresting images, described by Newsweek as ‘the most thorough and imaginative visual record of American jazz life at midcentury that we'll ever see.’ Jones, ‘Jazz: Pictures That Swing’ for Newsweek, 27 November 2005.

Quarto (300 x 240 mm). Profusely illustrated from Claxton’s photographs, two 7-inch vinyl records Jazz Life Vol.I and Vol.II in end-pocket. Original black cloth gilt, with dust jacket. Accompanied by a gift tag inscribed in black felt pen ‘Charlie, Happy Christmas, from Mick’.

[With:] CLAXTON, William (1927-2008). Jazz. Pasadena: Twelvetrees Press, [1987]. First edition, limited to 4000 copies. Quarto (305 x 230 mm). 76 black and white photographs, the plates sheet-fed gravures. Original blue cloth, spine and front cover lettered in black, original dust-jacket. Authorial presentation inscription to Otis Chandler, publisher of the Los Angeles Times from 1960-1980, dated 6 February 1988. [And:] – Jazz Seen. Koln: Taschen, 1999. Profusely illustrated with Claxton’s photographs. Authorial presentation inscription to Charlie Watts on the half-title ‘For Charlie – With my best wishes!’