Product Description: In 1985 Ron Warren began collecting sock monkeys--those icons of American thrift and inventiveness that for generations have been hand-stitched from a pair of red-heel work socks. Years later he met photographer Arne Svenson, who, intrigued by the obsessive nature and growing size of the collection, began with equal obsession to document one by one its more than 1,800 examples. To convey the distinct personality imbued in each monkey by its maker, Svenson photographs them in the manner of classical black-and-white portraiture: flatteringly lit, cropped at the shoulders, eyes to the camera. The first 200 of these sock monkey portraits, reproduced larger than life as full-page duotones, are assembled in this book. Invited contributors, including novelists Jonathan Safran Foer, Neil Gaiman, and Dale Peck; entertainers Penn & Teller; and fashion commentators Simon Doonan and Isaac Mizrahi, have interjected short stories inspired by the subject of their favorite sock monkey photograph. The result is an engaging, humorous, and at times disturbing reanimation of creatures long relegated to the attic or the back of the closet.
Surprisingly sweet I loved this pictorial book about a Sock Monkey collection...just their pictures and a few speculatve stories...No two alike, and each has their own personality...Great gift for almost anyone...
Formal Monkey Portraits What an incredible partnership between the collector and the photographer. These photographs are beautiful. The images capture the whimsy and personality created by anonymous hands. I have collected books of photographic images since the late 1970's and sock monkeys since the early 1990's. This is a wondrous book! I hope they consider a new edition with more of the collection.(They also have a terrific box of note cards from images in the book)
absolutely adorable... what a crowd pleaser! I gave this to my friend for Christmas and it was such a hit. its unexpected and charming and some of the pictures just make you laugh out loud. its a great coffee table book. they have such personality, and you can tell that some of them have been really loved over the years. I recommend this book to anyone that has ever been a child....
Sock Monkey Love When this book arrived, it was perfect timing. Sick at home, I couldn't have asked for a better pick-me-up when UPS arrived with my Sock Monkey book.
Although I was hoping the photos showed the monkeys in various poses vs. portraits, the portraits are all so cute that it made up for my disappointment. (I'd love to see the author shoot them in various situations.)
The text is cute, and the photography is top notch.
If you're a sock monkey fan, this is a must have for your library. Makes a great coffee table book too - especially since it looks very hip (not childish).
Show a little sock monkey love and pick up a copy!
love it! but i don't know what the other two are talking... about... there isn't much to read in this book, it is just pictures of sock monkeys and a few page silly stories... but i love the pictures. a great great quirky coffee table book! i am gonna buy more so i can give em to friends.
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
Trevor
