John Kobal was a friend. He was handsome, sumptuous, flamboyant. He lived only for his passion: photography from the golden age of Hollywood film studios. The legend says that whenever it was announced that a studio was closing and getting rid of its photographic archives, John would send a horde of taxis to arrive before the garbage trucks. The legend is true. Thus was born his collection, and it’s thanks to John that we know the names of the photographers who took these pictures. John died 21 years ago. The book Hollywood Unseen will be published this month,associated with an exhibition in London.
We wanted to pay tribute to John by dedicating this day to him. Our thanks to John’s lifelong friend Simon Crocker for his help.
Jean-Jacques Naudet
