NEW YORK, NY.- Aperture announced a special talk and book signing with Martin Parr at The Strand on his latest book Parrworld: Objects and Postcards (Aperture, 2008) featuring his world-renowned collections of themed objects and postcards. The ultimate book that holds everything Parr. British artist Martin Parr will discuss his work and present his exceptional collections of themed objects and postcards at The Strand on Tuesday, December 16.

Martin Parr’s vast collections of photography books and postcards are world-renowned. Unbeknownst to many, he is also an obsessive collector of photographic and themed objects. In Parrworld: Objects and Postcards (August, 2008), a luscious two-volume set, his procurement abilities are presented with appropriate thoroughness, and with typical Parr humor. Some of the items in Objects have already achieved notoriety—for instance, the wrist watches featuring Saddam Hussein’s visage. Others mythologize well-known figures such as Lenin and the Spice Girls. Then there is the kitsch: wallpaper, trays, and objects commemorating Sputnik, Chuck and Di’s wedding, and 9/11.

While Objects is the first publication to document his twenty-five-plus years of such collecting, Postcards is the “last word” on an extraordinary collection of over 20,000 cards. This highly entertaining, yet serious study of postcard history, includes early cards that depict local news events such as car crashes and murders. The book finishes in Boring Postcards territory with a selection of cards promoting motorways and shopping.

Objects is introduced by Parr and Postcards features an introduction by Thomas Weski, curator of the companion exhibition Parrworld, which is touring internationally. This affordably priced set is bound to appeal to a wide audience, but in particular to collectors who thought they already owned everything Parr.

Aperture is also pleased to make available a singularly eccentric special edition Objects Box that speaks to the idea of transforming collected trinkets into thrilling, precious objects. Each Objects Box includes a copy of Parrworld: Objects, a bar of Cadbury Spice Girls chocolate (ca. 1996), and a Royal Doulton Margaret Thatcher commemorative pin dish. All three collectibles are encased in a luxurious, hinged velvet box and are numbered and signed: “Collection Martin Parr.” Chris Boot, Ltd., has produced the complete edition of fifty in collaboration with the artist, fifteen of which are available exclusively through Aperture. The retail price of the special edition is $1,000.

MARTIN PARR (born in Epsom, England, 1952) is the author of over thirty photography books, including Small World and Martin Parr: Mexico (co-published by Aperture and Chris Boot, 2006). His photographs are held by museums worldwide, including the J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles; Museum of Modern Art, New York; and Tate Modern, London. In 2002, a retrospective of his work opened at the Barbican Art Gallery, London, and traveled extensively. Parr is a member of Magnum Photos.