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Slim Aarons: The Essential Collection: The Essential Collection Hardcover – October 3, 2023
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Slim Aarons: The Essential Collection gathers the very best of Slim's spectacular collections, including hundreds of iconic black-and-white and color photos, along with more than 100 rare and previously unpublished works.
This beautifully produced book, a tribute to Slim Aarons’s incredible contribution to modern photography, is the result of intensive scholarship and research, making it a must-have for any Slim fan and photography lover.
This luxe edition provides a deep and comprehensive look at the groundbreaking career of Slim Aarons, spanning five decades. The book begins with Slim’s fieldwork as an army photographer and continues through his fledgling days in Hollywood, opening the LIFE bureau in Rome, doing fashion and travel shoots for Holiday, and finally traveling the world for Town & Country.
With a new and definitive biographical essay, spotlights on key moments in his career, and exclusive insights from former associates, Slim Aarons: The Essential Collection gives readers an unprecedented look into Slim’s private world.
The supervisor of Slim’s image archive, author Shawn Waldron’s text digs into the photographer’s biography in unprecedented detail and reveals new information, while award-winning journalist, historian, and New York Times bestselling author Lesley Blume provides historical context to Slim’s career.
In addition, Slim’s former assistant and author Laura Hawk reveals the intricacies of her friendship with Slim, and historian, author, and Vanity Fair contributing editor Nick Foulkes explores Slim’s influence on modern culture.
This coffee table book is perfect for sharing, displaying, and gifting.
Includes hundreds of gorgeous photos and a foreword by Maria Cooper Janis.
- Print length432 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherAbrams Books
- Publication dateOctober 3, 2023
- Dimensions11.4 x 1.65 x 14.45 inches
- ISBN-101419746162
- ISBN-13978-1419746161
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Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Shawn Waldron is an archivist and curator specializing in photography. Based in New York City, he oversees the Slim Aarons Archive and is curator of print sales and exhibitions at Getty Images. Prior to joining Getty Images, he was director of the Condé Nast Archive for more than a decade. Lesley Blume is an award-winning journalist, historian, and New York Times bestselling author. Laura Hawk is a freelance writer who worked closely with Slim Aarons for more than two decades. Nick Foulkes is a Vanity Fair contributing editor and the author of more than 25 books on art and history. Maria Cooper Janis was born in Los Angeles to parents Gary Cooper and Veronica Cooper. She is a successful artist, exhibiting paintings in the United States, Europe, and Asia.
Product details
- Publisher : Abrams Books
- Publication date : October 3, 2023
- Language : English
- Print length : 432 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1419746162
- ISBN-13 : 978-1419746161
- Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
- Dimensions : 11.4 x 1.65 x 14.45 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #20,027 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1 in Individual Photographer Books
- #8 in Lifestyle Photography
- #13 in Fashion Photography (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Shawn Waldron is a New York-based archivist and curator specializing in photography. He was educated at the Univ of Connecticut and Simmons College before beginning his professional archival career as director of the Condé Nast Archive. His curatorial debut, an exhibition of work by 1920s illustrator Eduardo Garcia Benito, opened in 2009. In 2015, he was tapped to be the founding curator of the Condé Nast Gallery at One World Trade Center. Over two years, he organized exhibitions with photographers such as Elinor Carucci, Dan Winters, Peter Schlesinger, and the Estate of Horst P. Horst. In 2017, Waldron joined Getty Images as Exhibitions Curator. While at Getty, he has worked with dozens of contributors including Tony Vaccaro, Janette Beckman, David Corio, and Barbara Alper, and also manages the Slim Aarons Archive. Waldron has presented at major museums, writes texts for exhibition catalogs and editorial publications, and is an Editorial Advisor to Musée magazine.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book worth its price. The writing quality receives positive feedback, with one customer noting it serves as a great companion for writers and editors.
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Customers find the book worth its price.
"Great book. Great price." Read more
"...It makes the perfect gift for a fashion, design or art lover. Worth the price if you want to give them something they will treasure." Read more
"...The collection of photographs are Slim's classics. Worth every penny." Read more
"Great value, its like a compliation of other Slim Aarons books in one! Much better, I love a big book!..." Read more
Customers appreciate the writing quality of the book, with one noting it serves as a great companion for writers and editors.
"Beautiful collection with some great notes for minimal context...." Read more
"...I loved seeing the series of Lucky Luciano-classic. And the writing was interesting and informative...." Read more
"...equal parts rake (he loved women) and raconteur, a great companion for writers and editors alike." Read more
Reviews with images

Beautiful coffee table book
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2025Format: HardcoverVerified PurchaseStunning. Fabulous large high quality color plates showcasing a wide range of Slim Aaron’s work. Book is large & weighty. Great coffee table book & conversation piece. I’ve wanted this for years and got a copy in an Amazon sale event discounted by over 50%
5.0 out of 5 starsStunning. Fabulous large high quality color plates showcasing a wide range of Slim Aaron’s work. Book is large & weighty. Great coffee table book & conversation piece. I’ve wanted this for years and got a copy in an Amazon sale event discounted by over 50%Beautiful coffee table book
Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2025
Images in this review
- Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2025Format: HardcoverVerified PurchaseBeautiful collection with some great notes for minimal context. Nothing amazing or different if you already know his work and life but great synopsis with some of his more iconic photographs done with good ( not excessive ) printing and paper.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2025Format: HardcoverVerified PurchaseSuch a great collection of photographs and stories.
- Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2025Format: HardcoverVerified PurchaseGreat book. Great price.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2025Format: HardcoverVerified PurchaseBeautiful book. Shipping was fast too!
- Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2024Format: HardcoverVerified PurchaseThis book is beautiful. I would choose between this and a collection of the others. This book is heavy and thick, so it may not be the right look for all coffee tables — could easily dominate a space. I shudder to think about someone putting a drink or a plant on top of it!
It makes the perfect gift for a fashion, design or art lover. Worth the price if you want to give them something they will treasure.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2025Format: HardcoverVerified PurchaseGreatest coffee table book of all time!
Top reviews from other countries
- MReviewed in Australia on November 8, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect
Format: HardcoverVerified PurchaseGreat book. Good price. Quick delivery and arrived undamaged.
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B. CatherineReviewed in France on December 16, 2023
4.0 out of 5 stars version kindle pas top
Format: KindleVerified Purchaseles commentaires des photos sont mal placés
mais bonne qualité, pas cher
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Diego M.Reviewed in Italy on February 9, 2025
5.0 out of 5 stars Probabilmente il mio libro preferito
Format: HardcoverVerified PurchaseCollezione di foto molto completa con molte foto anche invernali!
- STEPHEN COOPERReviewed in the United Kingdom on May 17, 2025
5.0 out of 5 stars The definitive Aarons
Format: HardcoverVerified PurchaseYou don’t need any other book on Slim Aarons - this is the definitive volume. Fantastic, rich and deep collection of his photography, in a suitably large-scale book. Highly recommended.
- Amazon CustomerReviewed in the United Kingdom on July 16, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic Coffee Table book
Format: HardcoverVerified PurchaseA big heavy book!! Gift for my husband so haven’t opened it yet but we love Slim Aaron’s so very happy so far avd excited to see inside!