Identification
Photo reference
3 uploaded photos
Overview
The item is definitively identified by the provided images of the cover and copyright page. The copyright page explicitly states the title, photographer (Andrea Modica), publication year (2003), and includes the text 'First Edition' along with a full number line (10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1), indicating a first printing. The inscription appears to be a personal gift note rather than an author signature.
Story
Andrea Modica is an acclaimed contemporary American photographer known for her platinum printing technique and intimate portraiture. Published in 2003, 'Real Indians' documents Native American tribal college students, offering a contemporary counter-narrative to historical, romanticized depictions of Indigenous peoples. Contemporary photography books have a dedicated but niche collector base. First editions by established photographers like Andrea Modica hold steady value, but mass-market availability keeps prices accessible.
Maker / Origin
Andrea Modica
Condition & Value
The visible cover appears to be in good condition with minimal edge wear. The interior features a personal gift inscription, which generally detracts from the value for strict collectors seeking pristine copies unless the inscription is historically significant. The binding and pages appear intact based on the provided views.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Contemporary photography books have a dedicated but niche collector base. First editions by established photographers like Andrea Modica hold steady value, but mass-market availability keeps prices accessible. Buyers typically look to platforms like eBay or AbeBooks for reading and reference copies, while high-end collectors prefer pristine, signed copies sourced directly from galleries or the artist.
▲ Confirmed First Edition, First Printing via full number line on the copyright page.
▲ Subject matter (Native American portraiture) and acclaimed photographer (Andrea Modica) maintain steady niche demand.
▲ Hardcover format retains better structural integrity and collector interest than paperback equivalents.
▼ Personal gift inscription present, which typically reduces appeal for strict condition-focused collectors.
▼ Artist sells brand new, signed copies directly for $55, creating a hard ceiling for secondary market unsigned copies.
▼ Unverified dust jacket condition (if issued with one); missing or torn jackets significantly impact modern photography book values.
Best Venue
List on a broad secondary marketplace like eBay or Amazon as a used, Very Good copy. Price competitively around $20-$25 for a steady sale, ensuring you note the first edition status and clearly photograph the personal inscription in the condition description.
Upside Potential
If the gift inscription is actually associated with someone notable in the Native American community or the photography world, it could transition from a condition flaw to a valuable association copy, potentially pushing the value toward the $50-$75 range.
Also found — market-range context
Surfaced during research but not used to anchor the valuation — wrong form, species, era, or no published price. Shown so the market range around this item is visible.