Transformations. Crossdressers and Those Who Love Them
New York: E.P. Dutton, 1989. 1st Edition. Large quarto, publisher's magenta cloth over blush paper-covered boards, spine stamped in pink, original photo-illustrated dust jacket.
"I set out to 'de-freakify,' and to offer a different view." Signed first edition of photographer Mariette Pathy Allen’s debut book. While visiting New Orleans with her husband in 1978, Allen met crossdressers and members of the trans community celebrating Mardi Gras. After developing a deep friendship with one of her subjects, a trans woman named Vicky, the photographer began documenting gender nonconforming people across the US and internationally, in Cuba, Burma, and Thailand, in a series of books. Published during a period in which gender variance was vilified, Transformations was groundbreaking in destigmatizing gender nonconforming individuals. Dedicated to the community who welcomed her "into a private world," the book contains color and black-and-white portraits and interviews with Allen's subjects. First printing with complete number row to copyright page. Signed by Allen on the half-title. Bookplate to front endpaper. Light toning and rubbing to board edges; price-clipped dust jacket with minor rubbing and creasing to spine-ends. Very good. Item #7987
$250.00