Brian Jones: Butterfly in the Park by Michael Cooper

Brian Jones

BUTTERFLY IN THE PARK

“Art in all it’s forms, makes this world a better place” - Michael Cooper

Michael Cooper (1941-1973) was a beloved British photographer best known for his photographs of leading rock musicians of the 1960s. Cooper began his career as a successful fashion photographer for British Vogue capturing the vibrant energy of the Swinging Sixties in London. In 1964, through the art dealer Robert Fraser, Cooper became immersed in the art and music scene and photographed many leading figures in music, art, fashion, and literature, including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Andy Warhol, Cecil Beaton, Twiggy, Jean Genet, and Allen Ginsberg among many others. Cooper's close association with the Rolling Stones, resulted in his largest body of photographic work. As a trusted friend, Cooper was right there with them, camera in hand, capturing every moment, at home, at play, and in the studio. In 1967, Cooper photographed two of the most important rock and roll album covers of all time, The Beatles’ Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band, and The Rolling Stones’ Their Satanic Majesties Request. In 1973, Cooper took his own life leaving behind an unparalleled photographic legacy that is cared for by his son Adam. 

Michael Cooper’s best known photographic works include The Beatles’ Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band, and The Rolling Stones’ Their Satanic Majesties Request album covers.

2020 marked 50 years since the death of Brian Jones (1942-1969). Jones, an English musician is best known as the founder and original leader of the Rolling Stones. To celebrate his life and work we have compiled a limited-edition book of rare photographs by Michael Cooper. In addition to the images, we invited some of Jones' closest friends to help tell his story, resulting in more than 10,000 words. Contributions including a foreword by music legend Donovan and new contributions from Linda Lawrence, Prince Stash Klossowski de Rola, Andee Nathanson, Jones' son Julian Leitch, grandson Joolz Jones, Rolling Stones road manager Sam Cutler, and renowned music journalist Paul Trynka. Their accounts shed new light on one of rock and roll’s most enigmatic figures. 

Both exclusive 5x7” postcards that come with every book.

This book was overseen by editor & art director Dagon James in collaboration with Michael Cooper's son Adam Cooper and his wife Silvia Cooper. Together they carefully examined Cooper's body of photographic work, bringing into sharp focus the brilliance of Brian Jones at work and at play, in the recording studio with bandmates Keith Richards, Mick Jagger, Charlie Watts, and Bill Wyman alongside more intimate moments. In addition to the selected photographs, we are pleased to include a never before published poem, written by Brian Jones to his partner Linda Lawrence shortly before he passed away. This is the only written work by Jones known to exist which we are pleased to publish for the first time.

Brian Jones: Butterfly in the Park is printed on heavyweight 200gsm acid-free paper, utilizing a 6-plate printing process with spot varnish, gold screened photos, and gold page edge gilding. Each book comes housed in a premium soft linen clamshell box with gold foil accents, interior full-color printing, and a silk lift ribbon. Each hardcover book is bound in ultra-soft linen with gold accents and tipped-on photos on the front and back covers. We worked with one of the best fine art photography book printers in the world to ensure the finest photo reproduction possible. At 146 pages, this lavish book is sure to please the most dedicated enthusiast of Brian Jones, and The Rolling Stones.

DELUXE edition books (numbered 1-50) are signed by 8 contributors - Donovan, Linda Lawrence, Julian Leitch, Joolz Jones, Prince Stash Klossowski de Rola, Adam Cooper, Silvia Cooper and Dagon James. Additionally, each “Deluxe” book comes with a numbered, estate stamped, 8x10” archival pigment print of the Rolling Stones’ Their Satanic Majesties Request album cover photo.

COLLECTOR edition books (numbered 51-100) are signed by 3 contributors - Adam Cooper, Silvia Cooper and Dagon James.

Every book comes with 2 exclusive 5x7” postcards, a color and black and white variant of the classic Rolling Stones “11 hands” photo by Michael Cooper.

At only 100 signed and numbered copies, this lavish book is sure to be an instant collectors item among Rolling Stones fans!

Photographs by Michael Cooper.

Edited by Adam Cooper, Silvia Cooper & Dagon James.

Signed by contributors Donovan, Linda Lawrence, Julian Leitch, Joolz Jones, Prince Stash Klossowski de Rola, Adam Cooper, Silvia Cooper & Dagon James.

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