Masques by Richard Labbe

There is a new goalie mask book out, written by Richard Labbe, journalist for La Presse since 1999. This one does come with a catch: it is in French.

Labbe looks at 30 masks from over the years, ranging from the 1970s through to today. In doing so he reveals the person behind the mask as well studying the design and intricacies of the face mask. I have been told by trusted sources that the book is both elegant and exhaustively research. And judging by the online samples the photographic reproductions is wonderful.

I don't have a lot of information on the book, in terms of pages, photo counts and essay subjects. But here's what publisher Art Global has to say:

Thirty masks worn by goalies 30 prestigious National Hockey League, Mike Liut up Kari Lehtonen and Cam Ward, through Ken Dryden, Gerry Cheevers, Martin Brodeur and Patrick Roy. 

Richard Labbe, sports reporter for The Press , recounts the origin and design of these masks, which reflects the personality of the guards who wear them. Several of them expressed here for the first time on the subject. The author presents and face masks which concealed the reproductions in this book involve a careful process of selective varnish highlighting these true works of art. 

MASKS fascinate all fans of hockey lovers of fine books.

I would not be surprised to see an English release sometime in the future. In fact, I would disappointed if it was not. In the meantime you can buy the book at Amazon.ca and Chapters