SUMO / Helmut Newton, 1999

Description

Helmut Newton: SUMO is a monumental photography book by the celebrated German-Australian photographer Helmut Newton, published by Taschen in 1999. Renowned for its extreme size and limited edition format, it redefined the possibilities of photographic bookmaking and became an art collectible in its own right.

Key facts

• Photographer: Helmut Newton

• Publisher: Taschen

• First publication: 1999

• Edition: 10,000 signed copies with Philippe Starck stand

• Dimensions: Approx. 27.5 x 20 inches (35.4 kg)

Concept and design

Conceived as a statement on the grandeur of photography, SUMO compiled over 350 of Newton’s most iconic fashion and portrait photographs. The oversized format allowed the images to be reproduced at near exhibition scale. Each copy was individually numbered and signed, turning the volume into both a book and a sculptural object.

Production and presentation

The book’s lavish production involved custom printing and binding methods to support its massive weight. Designer Philippe Starck created a brushed-metal stand specifically for displaying the work, emphasizing its hybrid identity as furniture, art object, and publication. Upon release, it was one of the largest and most expensive books ever produced.

Reception and legacy

Upon publication, SUMO sold out rapidly, and copy No. 1, signed by numerous celebrities featured in its pages, fetched a record auction price for a contemporary book. Its success reinforced Taschen’s reputation for luxury art editions and inspired later “XL” and “Collector’s Edition” formats. The work remains a landmark in both photography and publishing history.

Subsequent editions

A smaller-scale version, Helmut Newton: SUMO – Revised by June Newton, was released in 2009, maintaining the original’s content while making it accessible to a broader audience. Both editions are now prized by collectors and photography enthusiasts worldwide.