Robert Bourdeau

This monumental oblong folio stands as a definitive, high-fidelity archive of Robert Bourdeau’s early large-format film career. Published jointly by Toronto’s prestigious Mintmark Press and the National Film Board of Canada, this exquisite volume is comprised of 32 actual-size duotone plates printed directly from Bourdeau’s original contact sheets. Because they preserve the exact, razor-sharp tonality and deep textural contrasts of his 8×10 and 4×5 negatives, the pages function effectively as a curated portfolio of individual fine art photography prints.

This specific copy holds elite status for rare book collectors: it is hand-numbered as Copy No. 40, placing it in the highly sought-after double-digit limitation tier of only 369 copies signed by the artist. Furthermore, it retains its rare original publisher’s cardboard slipcase—a protective housing that was routinely discarded by original owners. While the outer slipcase shows expected vintage shelf-soiling from nearly fifty years of preservation, it has kept the cloth-bound inner book immaculate, tight, and crisp. A foundational centerpiece for any serious collection of Canadian fine art and historic mid-century photography.