Cecil Beaton: The Art of the Scrapbook

As one of the twentieth century’s most important photographers, Cecil Beaton helped invent the cult of the celebrity image while pushing the boundaries of his art form with innovative techniques and staging. In the course of his decades-long career as a photographer for Vogue and Vanity Fair, as well as a British war correspondent, Cecil Beaton documented lives both famous and quotidian—including his own, in dozens of scrapbooks now held by Sotheby’s London.

In these pages, reproduced here for the very first time, the inner vision of the man behind the camera takes center stage. Composed of his own prints and of clippings from magazines, newspapers, and playbills, the pages are an instructive record of his creative process. His famous eye alighted on society figures, royals, dancers, actors, statesmen, and natives in ceremonial garb, picking out visual rhymes and witty juxtapositions. To flip through the pages is to enter a fabulous and surreal party where Tallulah Bankhead rubs shoulders with a bust of Voltaire and a portrait of Stravinsky; where Beaton’s first trip on the Queen Mary coincides with Queen Elizabeth’s coronation. The precursor to the “mood board,” Beaton’s scrapbooks allowed the artist to play with pictures he had taken (and perhaps those he wished he had) in the dreamspace of artifice that was always his favorite setting.

Book Care Guidelines

To preserve the beauty and longevity of your book, we recommend the following:

* Handle with Care: Always use clean, dry hands to avoid transferring oils or dirt onto the pages and cover.
* Protect from Sunlight: Avoid direct sunlight, which may cause fading or discoloration over time.
* Store Properly: Keep books in a cool, dry place, upright on a flat surface, and away from heat or moisture.
* Dust Gently: Use a soft, dry cloth or feather duster to clean the cover and page edges.
* Open with Caution: Do not force the spine flat, especially on new books, to prevent damage to the binding.
* Avoid Food and Drinks: Keep books away from liquids and food to prevent accidental spills and stains.
* ⁠Less Spine Stress: Bookstands support the spine without forcing it flat, which helps prevent cracking or warping.

At Assouline Turkey, we’re committed to offering not just exceptional books, but exceptional service. Every order is packed with care, and we do our best to ensure a smooth, fast, and satisfying delivery experience.

Local Shipping (Turkey)

We proudly offer free shipping across Turkey.

Before 15:00 (Istanbul time) are shipped the same day

Orders placed after 15:00 ship the next business day

Delivery typically takes 1–2 business days

Tracking information is provided once your order ships

We partner with trusted couriers to ensure safe, timely delivery of every item — whether for yourself or as a gift.

International Shipping

We’re pleased to serve our international customers with a simple, flat-rate option:

2–5 business days, depending on destination

Our Promise

From packaging to delivery, we handle each order with care & love. If you need assistance at any stage, our customer support team is here to help — with warmth, speed, and attention to detail. Feel free to contact us at:

istanbul@assouline.com.tr or

+90 (530) 691 20 35

Thank you for choosing Assouline Turkey. We’re honored to be part of your library and your life.