The Unretouched Woman – Collector’s Edition (3 sets left)
The Unretouched Woman – Collector’s Edition (3 sets left)
A rare opportunity to own an out-of-print first edition from Eve Arnold’s own collection — one of the most significant photography books of the twentieth century, The Unretouched Woman — accompanied by a limited-edition 10×12” estate-stamped print from the Eve Arnold Archive.
Limited Edition Details
Only 6 complete sets available worldwide
Each book is signed and dedicated by Michael Arnold (to you or your recipient)
Choose one of five iconic images for the print:
• Marilyn Monroe in the bathroom mirror, 1955.
• Bar Girl, Cuba. 1954.
• Charlotte Stribling, Harlem fashion. 1950.
• A baby's first five minutes. Mother holds her child's hand. 1959.
• Marilyn Monroe resting. 1955.
Prints are estate-stamped, hand numbered and captioned on the back. They are individually produced to museum standards by Eve’s own bespoke printer Danny Pope.
Each book originates from Eve Arnold’s personal collection — volumes that lived on her studio shelves and travelled with her archive.
They bear the signs of use: a softened corner, a little wear to the dust jacket, the quiet evidence of years spent close to their maker.
Far from imperfections, these traces offer a direct, tactile connection to Eve herself — a rare chance to hold what she once held.
“This is a book about how it feels to be a woman, seen through the eyes and the camera of one woman—images unretouched, for the most part unposed, and unembellished.”
“Twenty-five years ago, when I became a photojournalist, I was looked on as someone apart—a ‘career lady,’ a ‘woman photographer.’ My colleagues were not spoken of in inverted commas; they were not ‘career men’ or ‘men photographers.’ I was not happy about it, but realized—as have women before me—that it was a fundamental part of female survival to play the assigned role. I could not fight against those attitudes. I needed to know more about other women to try to understand what made me acquiesce in this situation.”
— Eve Arnold, introduction to The Unretouched Woman (1976)
Eve’s words open the book with the quiet force of revelation.
What follows is her lifelong inquiry — an unguarded, deeply human record of women as they are: working, resting, performing, resisting, surviving.
This limited collector’s edition honours that vision. Each signed book and accompanying estate print returns to the spirit of Eve’s original intent — truth without artifice, empathy without distance, woman seen by woman.
Close up of one of the limited edition archival prints
Why This Collector’s Edition Matters
This is more than a book: it is a dialogue with Eve’s legacy.
The hand-signed dedication transforms it into a personal heirloom or gift.
The museum grade print connects the tactile world of the book to the visual power of her photographs.
With only six sets in existence, each one is a personal link in the chain of collectors and admirers preserving Eve’s legacy for the future.
How to Order
Click Purchase to reserve your set (only seven available)
After checkout, email us at michael@evearnold.com with:
Your choice of print (see options above)
The name for your inscription
Your signed and personalised set will be shipped from the Eve Arnold Estate with certificate of authenticity.
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Shipping Overview
We ship worldwide from our printer in Italy via DHL Express. Every collector’s edition is securely packed using museum-grade materials to ensure safe and professional delivery.
Does the print arrive framed?No — the print ships unframed. This lets you choose a frame that matches your space, and we’re happy to share framing tips any time.
Delivery Times
All collector’s editions will be sent out via DHL express within 3 weeks of purchase.
Once sent, delivery times are as follows:UK and EU: 1-3 business days
USA & International: 2-5 business days
Delivery times are estimates and may vary depending on customs clearance and courier schedules.
Taxes & Duties
Most countries do not charge import duties on original photographic prints. However, local taxes (such as VAT or sales tax) may be payable upon delivery and are the responsibility of the buyer.
We recommend checking your local import regulations if you have any concerns.
Returns & Exchanges
As each print is produced to order and part of a limited edition, all sales are final. We cannot accept returns or exchanges except in the rare case of damage during transit.
If your print arrives damaged, please contact us within 48 hours of delivery with photographs of the packaging and the print. We will work swiftly to resolve the issue.
Authenticity Guarantee
Each print is estate-authenticated and stamped by the Eve Arnold Estate.
Customer Support
If you have any questions about your order, shipping, or taxes, please contact us at michael@evearnold.com. We are happy to assist.
Own a Piece of History — Support the Legacy of Eve Arnold
Each Unretouched Woman Collector’s Edition is more than a rare pairing of book and print — it is a direct contribution to preserving the enduring legacy of Eve Arnold.
Your purchase supports the ongoing work of the Eve Arnold Estate:
the care and digitisation of over 250,000 negatives and prints, the cataloguing of her life’s archive, and the continued sharing of her work through exhibitions, publications, and educational initiatives.
Crafted to museum standards and authenticated by the Estate, these editions allow collectors to invest in photographic history while ensuring that Eve’s voice — honest, human, and unretouched — continues to reach new generations.
By owning one of these six collector’s sets, you become part of the story:
protecting the past, sustaining the archive, and helping Eve’s vision endure.
