Their First Murder, 1941 © Weegee

Whilst roaming around the campus library, searching for a topic to write a 5-page paper on for my Art-in-America class, I came across Weegee by Weegee, An Autobiography in the 4th Floor Limited Art Access Collection. The first chapter, titled Tintype drew me in with a simple and honest introduction.

My typewriter is broken. I own no dictionary, and I never claimed that I could spell, and if Shakespeare, Balzac and Dostoyevsky could do it the hard way, in longhand, so can I. Not having been a drug addict, an alcoholic or a psycho, I don’t need a ghost writer.
I have no inhibitions, neither has my camera. I have lived a full life and have tried everything. What may be abnormal to you is normal. If I had to live my life over again, I would do it all the same… only more so.
Everything I write about is true… and I have the pictures, the checks, the memories and the scars to prove it.

© Weegee

I am always interested in literature about New York City so when this was my chance to learn more about Weegee’s NYC of the 1920s-40s, it instantly caught my attention. From his father sending fake money to Austria to his mother to the nights he spent practicing his fiddle-playing in the Acme darkrooms, it is told with the utmost honesty and never a ounce of pity. Though still only through the beginning of autobiography, this is a page turner, and if you can get your hands on this rare book, read it.

Thinking I can purchase a copy on Amazon or Half.com, I was surprised to see this book wasn’t reproduced in multiple editions. Currently, a copy on Amazon is being sold for $490. I’d really love a copy to keep.