This is a complete two-volume set of Mountain Ways – An Album of the Smokies by Smoky Mountains historian and photographer Gene Aiken, documenting life in the Appalachian Smoky Mountains before modern tourism transformed the region.
These books are not reprints or tourist guides. They are documentary photo albums capturing real families, craftsmen, homes, mills, and mountain communities in places such as Gatlinburg, Roaring Fork, Elkmont, Little River, Fighting Creek, and surrounding Smoky Mountain valleys.
Both volumes are first edition, first printing, hand-numbered, and signed by Gene Aiken, making this a highly collectible matched set.
Volume One was published in 1983 in a limited run of 5,000 copies.
Volume Two was published in 1986 in an even more limited run of 2,500 copies.
Each volume is individually numbered and personally signed by Gene Aiken on the publisher’s limited-edition plate.
These albums were created to preserve Appalachian culture that was disappearing as the Great Smoky Mountains National Park expanded, making them highly sought after by Smoky Mountains collectors, Appalachian historians, folk-life researchers, and documentary photography collectors.
• Mountain Ways – An Album of the Smokies (1983)
• Mountain Ways Two – An Album of the Smokies (1986)
• Both books are signed and numbered first editions
Pre-owned with honest vintage wear from careful use, from a smoke-free home. Covers show edge and corner wear consistent with age. Pages are intact and photographs are clean and readable. Pages look good. See video sample. Signatures and limited-edition plates are clearly visible.
This is not a common book pairing. Finding both volumes together, both signed, and both first editions is extremely uncommon.
• Signed by Gene Aiken
• First Edition / First Printing for both volumes
• Hand-numbered limited editions
• Original documentary photography
• Smoky Mountains and Appalachian cultural history
• Gatlinburg and Great Smoky Mountains coverage
• Archival-quality historical albums
Ships fast and packed with care.
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