Helmut Newton's SUMO published by TASCHEN has been judged the Best Book on Photography Published in 1999 by world-renowned International Center of Photography. SUMO, the biggest and most costly book ever produced, was judged best in a field of outstanding photography books published in the last year of the 20th century. Conceived as a monumental tribute to Helmut Newton, arguably the most influential and controversial of contemporary photographers, SUMO has become a star in its own right by winning this honor in a field filled with worthy books devoted to photography."

A limited edition of 10.000 copies, all numbered and signed by the artist.

Hardcover: 464 pages with over 400 pictures, most of wich are published for the first time; Dimensions (in inches): 31.00 x 32.00 x 6.50, 66 pound or 30 kg. Each copy of SUMO comes with a table especially designed by Philippe Starck
Price: $2,500.00 US

Born, 31 October 1920 in Berlin.
At sixteen he starts an apprenticeship under the Berlin photographer Yva, famous for her fashion, portrait and nude photography.

In 1938 he emigrated to Australia. Australian citizenship. In 1948 he married June his Australian-born wife.
In 1957 move to Paris.
In the sixties and seventies, he provides regular contributions to the French, American, Italian and English editions of Vogue, Elle, Marie-Claire, Jardin des modes, U.S. Playboy, Nova, Queen & Stern.

Since 1981 a resident of Monte Carlo.

1975 First solo exhibition, Galerie Nikon, Paris.
1976 Prize of the Art Directors Club, Tokyo, for the best photography of the year.
1977/78 Prize of the American Institute of Graphic Arts for his first book, White Women.
1978/79 Gold Metal of the Art Directors Club, Germany, for the best journalistic photograph.
1989 Named Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres by the French Minister of Culture, Jack Lang.
Receives the "Photographers Award for Outstanding Achievements and Contributions to Photography During the Sixties and Seventies" from the Photographic Society of Japan.
The French Prime Minister, Jacques Chirac, presents him with the "Grand Prix national de la ville de Paris".
"Fashion Photographs & Portaits", Metropolitan Teien Museum, Tokyo.
"Fashion Photographs & Portraits", Seibu Art museum, Funabashi, Japan.
"Helmut Newton, Nuevas Imágenes", Fundación Caja de Pensiones, Madrit.
"Helmut Newton in Moscow", Puschkin Museum & Perwaia Galeria, Moscow.
"Fashion Photographs & Portraits", Prefectural Museum of Art, Fukuoka, Japan.
"New Images", Galleria d' arte moderna, Bologna.
1989/90 "New Images", Carlsberg Glyptothek Gallery, Kopenhagen.
1990 Presented the "Grand Prix national de la photographie" by Jack Lang.
Kunstoforum Galerie, Vienna.
Hochschule fùr Graphic und Buchkunst, Leipzig.
"Fashion Photography & Portraits", The Museum of Modern Art, Shiga, Japan.
1991 "World Image Award" for the best portrait photograph, New York.
"Biennale", Lyons.
1992 Awarded the Grosses Bundesverdienstkreuz by the Federal Republic of Germany.
Named Chevalier des Arts, Lettres et Science by S.A.S. Princess Caroline of Monaco.
"Íaked & Dressed in Hollywood", Pascal de Sarthe Gallery, Los Angeles.
"Helmut Newton", Goro International Exhibition, Tokyo.
"Archives de Nuit", Crédit Foncier de France, Head Office, Paris.

1993 "Helmut Newton", Carla Sozzani Gallery, Milan.
Centre culturel français de Rome, Rome.
"Archives de Nuit", Villa Medici, Rome.

1993/94 "Helmut Newton. Aus dem photographischen Werk", Deichtorhallen, Hamburg.
Josef-Albers- Museum, Bottrop.
Fotomuseum Winterthur, Winterthur.
Castelo di Rivoli, Turin.
Museum Quadradt, Bottrop

2000 Deutsches Centrum für Photographie, Berlin. Fotoserie "Autoerotic."

If you got a spare dollar or two "Sumo" is available by amazon.com

Buy now - Sumo

Newton has shot only one nude man -- actor Helmut Berger, standing before a mirrored fireplace admiring his reflection in 1984. "I was never interested in naked men."

"The photographs don't arouse me. All I can think about is the hard work it took to make them. Look, I'm not an intellectual -- I just take pictures."

Helmut Newton

Table designed by Philippe Starck

"The greatest book for the greatest photographer alive!"

The biggest and most expensive book production in the 20th century

SUMO, edited by June Newton, features a wide selection of over 400 pictures, most of which are published for the first time, covering every aspect of Newton's outstanding career in photography: from his stunning fashion photographs, which pointed the way for generations of photographers, to his nudes and celebrity portaits.

In defiance of the much-loved Japanese discipline that inspired the title of this colossal work, there is no need for it's proud owner to wrestle with SUMO. Philippe Starck has designed a unique device for displaying the book at home.

"The project took three years and ten million Deutschmarks. 50 people worked on the book with Helmut Newton and his wife June. June and Helmut are absolute perfectionists. For them, control and quality take top priority. I love such precision - especially since their decisions were always right. Trial and error, conceptual improvements, innovative developments - these were important factors in achieving the best results. The colours and contrasts had to be exactly right. The paper had to be of just the right quality to make this book what it is when you leaf through it, look at it and read it - a sensation.

It was June Newton who selected the 400 images from her husband's oeuvre. She is very professional. Nobody knows his works so well. June takes the same painstaking care in selecting the photographs as Helmut Newton does in planning them. She managed to find just the right balance of dynamic glamour and sensational scenes. Binding the book was another major challenge. Never before has a book of this size and weight been printed.

SUMO is a vision become paper, full of so much labour and so many memories. An adventure. A project that has resulted not only in a book that makes us proud and happy, but also a new friendship. I used to admire Helmut Newton for his work. Today he is a friend. Helmut Newton's SUMO is destined to be the most successful book of the 21st century. It's my favourite book already."

All Credit to Benedikt Taschen in Max, Germany