Tag Town by Martha Cooper

Tag Town by Martha Cooper is a photographic journey into the roots of New York's graffiti scene, documented by legendary photographer Martha Cooper.

From early taggers like TAKI 183 to artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, and Kenny Scharf, the book chronicles how tagging evolved from simple signatures to the foundation of a global art form. Through Cooper's iconic images, you'll gain a unique insight into how style, identity, and communication emerged on the city's streets during the 1970s and early 1980s.

The book also includes quotes from pioneers like Blade and Snake 1, providing additional perspective on the scene's development and culture.

Originally published in 2008 and long out of print, this is an essential document of the history of graffiti, from the first tags to a movement that would influence the entire world.

Before street art went global, it all started with a simple tag.