Dali's mustache: a photographic interview, hardcover/philippe halsman

Cult classic and collectors item, Dalis Mustache is the result of the astonishing artistic collaboration between surrealist Salvador Dal and experimental photography pioneer Philippe Halsman.

Dal and Halsman were friends as well as professional collaborators for more than three decades.

Subtitled A Photographic Interview , the concept of the book is one short question presented to Dal , which Dal answers, followed by a corresponding black-and-white photograph by Halsman.

The photographs are intentionally absurd and hilarious.

Early editions of this book came with a warning on the back that said Warning This book is preposterous.

Question: I have the feeling, to have discovered your secret, Salvador.

Could it be that you are crazy? Answer: I am certainly saner than the person who bought this book.

About the Author: Philippe Halsman (1906-1979) was born in Latvia and began his photography career in France.

In the 1930s, using a twin-reflex camera that he designed himself, Halsman photographed many prominent artists and intellectuals including Le Corbusier, Andr Gide and Marc Chagall.

He moved to the United States with his family in 1940, with assistance from Albert Einstein, who helped the photographer obtain an emergency visa.

Halsman spent the next 30 years as one of the most prolific photographers in America.

No other photographer ever matched Halsmans record of 101 cover portraits for LIFE magazine.