HOLLYMAN, Thomas. The Oilmen, New York: Rinehart, 1952. Hardcover (red-stamped tan cloth), 10 ¾ x 10 ½ inches, unpaginated, screen-gravure illustrations, dustjacket.
Produced during the optimistic 1950s, shortly before the environmental movement began to take shape, this book boldly promotes the production and use of petroleum products. Hollyman democratically photographed not just those working the drills, but also turned his camera on geologists, refiners, and, finally, the service station owner-operator, cleverly humanized here with a wife and name—Scotty. Charles Parker wrote the text, but Hollyman's strong pictures are dominant, often printed large and in rich gravure. Photojournalist Thomas Hollyman (1919-2009) was the first staff photographer for Holiday magazine and later became its picture editor. He also worked in film, television, and advertising. Very good condition.

FINE