This is the preferred edition. La Guilde du Livre in Lausanne issued a pre-publication version without a dust-jacket, which, while taking precedence, is less desirable. Doisneau's first book is an unsentimental and affectionate look at the lives of the working class in and around the suburbs of Paris, photographed just before the old districts were to change or disappear altogether. At the time of publication, Doisneau was not well known, though he had already taken several of what were to become his most famous photographs. He met Cendrars whilst on assignment for L'Album du Figaro; the two began a correspondence which, with Cendrars's support, culminated in this book.

First edition; 8vo (233 x 174 mm, 9¼ x 6¾ in); black-and-white photographs printed in gravure, photo-illustrated endpapers with bookseller's ticket; cream printed paper-covered boards, light wear to extremities, photo-illustrated dust-jacket, light wear to edges, several short tears some strengthened with tape on verso, a very good copy; 55, [1], 135, [5]pp.

Regards sur un siècle de photographie à travers Le Livre 94; The Photobook A History, I p201; The Book of 101 Books pp132-3; Eyes on Paris pp202-5; La Guilde du Livre: Les Albums Photographiques 1941-1977 pp18-21.