Albert Morse, Photographer
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| Photograph by Christine Valenza |
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Albert has been fascinated by diversity and material culture since his youthful days in the Merchant Marine. He is descended from a long line of traders, artists and collectors. His grandfather, a Russian religious relic trader, and close associate of Madame Blavatsky, was responsible for the return of the Buddha's Tooth to its temple in Ceylon in the 19th Century. His mother, in her twenties, was the paramour of Man Ray in Paris. She was the subject of many of his more erotic photographs, taken with the understanding that they would never be made public. Unfortunately, both he and his estate have scrupulously honored this agreement.
Albert's father was an attorney whose life was devoted to collecting early Chinese paintings. His collection was exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum in New York City, and a catalog was published, entitled "In Pursuit of Antiquity". Less known was his collection of esoteric Asian erotica, and he instilled in the young Albert his motto, "Things are not always as they seem". These seven words have always remained in the forefront of his consciousness. Albert began making photographs after his father gave him the legacy of his own Voitlander Superb camera for his 12th birthday. He is self taught, the primary influence on his work being the early 20th Century photographer, Charles Eisenman, whose blindstamp he has modified and uses as his own. Since that time, more than 50 years ago, he has been recording his existence in words and pictures. His first photographs were of friends and relatives' bar mitzvahs on Long Island, his birthplace. He has worked as a lawyer, rare book dealer and dream facilitator. An unabashed voyeur who enjoys being a participant as well, he understands his subjects' craving for attention, and his photographs show that his interest is appreciated. He is comfortable and accepted in many diverse venues. It's clear that these representations have not been filched, but are the result of either explicit or implicit collaboration. Often in our travels people will approach him and share that they have treasured a photograph of them that he took many years ago. 
In the 60's he travelled the world as a Merchant Seaman. The recording continued.
In the 70's he moved to a houseboat in Sausalito,California, photographing the houseboat community, the Marin city Flea market, and Underground cartoonists who were his legal clients at the time, and who featured him in a comic book entitled Morse's Funnies. His next project was an exploration of the world of tattooists, which resulted in a book that's been in print for more than 20 years. (There are less than 50 books left. These books have been signed and numbered, and come with posters and an extra cover. This special edition is available exclusively at this web site.) The photographs were exhibited at the Oakland Museum and the Pompidou Center in Paris. His interest in tattooing led to an extensive collection of vintage tattoo flash. Over the years he has photographed spiritual teachers of many traditions. His photographs of the Folsom Street Fair, over a period of more than 15 years, illustrate the popularization of a unique lifestyle. He has photographed lapdogs in various venues, from the flea market to dog shows. Unpublished photo books of his trips, and the many worlds he has ventured into, have been created and will slowly make their way into this web site. His photographs appear on the internet at www.nudesmasked.com. As the years go by, he has become more and more inwardly focussed. It has taken me many years and much patience to uncover these few historical facts. - Written by his beloved partner Christine |
Portfolios |
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Flea Market |
Tattoo Photos |
Tattoo Flash |
California Photos |
General Store |
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Buyers
Sellers Objects Naked Ladies |
Backs
Heads & Hands Tattooists |
Coleman
Dietzel Hamilton Others |
Folsom St Fair
Underground Cartoonists Red Roses Sausalito Houseboats Locals Tiny Dogs |
Guru G Book
The Tattooists Morse's Funnies Smoking Pipes Christine's Rare Books Found Photos Albert's Life in Postcards |
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Site contents © 2002 by Albert Morse
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