Urban Spree Books publishes «Polaroid SX-70 Black Book»

Urban Spree Books publishes « Polaroid SX-70 Black Book », an intimate collection of vintage Polaroids from the early 80s focused on New York City graffiti writers.

These portraits tell the story of a pioneering graffiti generation, who went to influence generations to come through graffiti and hip hop. The book catches them at an early time, in what in retrospect seems like an age of innocence: young, free, hopeful. At the verge of commercial success, in this unique NYC effervescence of clubbing, art, graffiti, dereliction, crime and excitement.

The story starts on 675 Hudson Street, nicknamed the « Little Flat Iron Building ». Nestled between notorious gay and BDSM clubs was « Skipper » Ward Merrill Hooper Jr.’s loft on the 3rd floor and Gallery Above Ground on the 2nd. where Crash, DAZE, Pink, Cey and others were working on their nascent art careers.

Skipper befriended them and they all started hanging out together, going to downtown parties & gallery openings in the burgeoning scene of 81-82. Skipper would usually never go out without his Polaroid camera SX-70. He would photograph them on these occasions, never imposing himself and respectful. Often, the writers would write on or tag the back of the Polaroids, like in a black book. Owing to its unique physicality, the Polaroid medium became a gift, an exchange, a contribution. The book reproduces both fronts and backs of each photograph, capturing the entirety of the interaction.

The book will be available in Paris for the Graffiti Book Club on March 7th & 8th and at Urban Spree on March 9th. You can pre-order the book here on our website.

Polaroid SX-70 Black Book

Polaroids by "Skipper" Ward Merrill Jr.

Foreword by Chris “DAZE” Ellis

Published by Urban Spree Books, Berlin

First Edition: March 2026

Hardcover with a tipped-in printed photograph

20 x 22,3 cm, 160 pages, English

ISBN 978-3-9819026-7-9