Rare 1979 Artist Photobook: Diario, cinese by Flavia Robinson (Derossi) – Limited Edition #40/49 with Original Fujicolor Photographic Prints. Up for sale is an extraordinary piece of photographic and artist book history: “Diario, cinese” (1979) by Flavia Robinson (also known as Flavia Robinson Derossi, noted Italian sociologist, photographer, and collage artist). This is a true private-press limited edition portfolio, explicitly numbered Copy No. 40 of only 49 copies ever produced (TIRATURA LIMITATA A 49 ESEMPLARI / COPIA N° 40). Item Overview & Features. Author/Artist: Flavia Robinson (Flavia Derossi). Title: Diario, cinese (“Chinese Diary”). Publication Date: September 1979 (Settembre 1979). Limitation: Numbered #40 of 49 copies. Medium: Features full-page, original Fujicolor photographic C-prints bound into the volume (each chapter opening consists of a full darkroom photographic composite print sheet showcasing multi-photo collages from her travel through China in 1979). Language: Italian text (journal entries and chapter headers). Historical & Artistic Significance. Documenting China during its pivotal opening up to Western visitors post-Cultural Revolution in 1979, this portfolio represents Flavia Robinson’s transitional period as she shifted from her career in industrial sociology into fine-art photography and photomontage. Her photo works and portfolios from this era were later acquired by major permanent collections, including the Brooklyn Museum and the New York Public Library. Photographs & Content: All original Fujicolor C-print photo pages are 100% complete, untouched, vibrant, and clean. Zero loss or damage to any photos in the collages. Text Block: Text remains 100% legible throughout the entire book. Edge Wear / Defects: There is noticeable nibble/gnaw edge wear along the outer right margin affecting the paper edges from the front cover through page 14 (including the margins of two Fujifilm photo sheets). The damage is restricted purely to the outer margins and does not touch the image areas or printed text. Binding & Covers: Softcover binding remains intact; original red paper covers show expected edge wear/rubbing consistent with age. A fantastic piece of world history and a rare glimpse into a hidden history of a renowned photographer and sociologist, Flavia Robinson Derossi. Acquired from a small collection of which included Derossi’s English translation of “The Technocratic Illusion” which was personally inscribed to the owner of this book. This book is not inscribed or signed by Flavia. It will also come with an article about Flavia’s husband Marshall Robinson, which was tucked in the books.
