A1 – The Great North Road (2020) by Paul Graham, published by MACK, is a 96-page hardcover photobook exploring the historic A1 route that links England and Scotland. Graham’s photographic approach focuses on capturing landscapes, as well as urban and rural environments, alongside subtle human interactions that occur along this key road artery. The book foregrounds mood and atmosphere rather than straightforward documentary detail, employing careful composition and natural light to evoke the textures and rhythms inherent to the route’s diverse geography. Measuring approximately 32.2 by 24.3 cm and weighing 940 grams, the physical book supports the immersive quality of the images, encouraging viewers to reflect on the cultural nuances and transitions the journey reveals.

This photobook revives a thematic and photographic lineage that Paul Graham first made influential with his seminal 1983 self-published original A1, which was noted as one of the UK’s earliest colour photographic monographs combining social documentary traditions with innovative color usage. Although this 2020 MACK edition is a later publication—potentially a revisitation or reissue rather than the original imprint—it remains of interest to serious collectors due to Graham’s stature and the book’s ongoing engagement with British photographic heritage. Collectors might be drawn by the book’s thoughtful sequencing and subtle engagement with cultural geography, as well as by its physical production quality. However, the rarity and investment interest should be considered cautiously given the relatively recent date and availability. It aligns with other influential British color photography books, signaling Paul Graham’s continued significant role in the medium’s development.