spring - Merrell Publishers

new TiTle Travel
£9.95 UK
$16.95 US
$18.95 CAN
hardback iSbN 978-1-8589-4569-9
224 pages
17 x 15 cm (5 3 ⁄4 x 6 3 ⁄4 in)
200 colour illustrations
march UK and North America
Rights available
relaTeD TiTle
Toilets of the World
iSbN 978-1-8589-4499-9 (pbk)
£6.95 UK $9.95 US $12.50 CAN
Tokyo Taxi
Alexander James
Tokyo at night is a thrilling place. Neon lights up the buildings,
while the pavements and bars are packed with bustling crowds.
And, as in many other cities around the world, the streets are
full of taxis. What makes Tokyo exceptional, however, are the signs
on top of its taxi cabs. Hundreds of taxi firms operate in the city,
and each has its own distinctive illuminated sign. Stars, globes,
lanterns, cherry blossoms and even frogs and waving cats all
feature in an array of vibrant colours. Photographer Alexander
James set himself the task of capturing the most eye-catching of
these signs – no mean feat, because some of the firms have as
few as four cars on the road. in spite of having to work long,
unsociable hours, the drivers take great pride in offering the
highest standards of service and in keeping their cabs spotlessly
clean, allowing the bright lights to reflect off the gleaming surfaces.
Sharing some of the anecdotes he has heard from taxi drivers
during his late-night travels, James portrays a city that literally
dazzles after dark.
• A unique, striking collection of taxi signs from one of the
world’s most exciting cities
• Features more than 200 evocative images by acclaimed
photographer Alexander James
• The perfect book for graphic design and travel enthusiasts
AlexANDeR JAMeS is a critically acclaimed photographer whose
work has been exhibited around the world. His recent projects
address social, political and environmental issues, and his images
have appeared in such publications as Design Week, Monograph
and the los Angeles Times Magazine.
SPRiNG 2012 merrell 5