The Ramses Shaffy Archive (Collector's Edition)
Recommended retail price: €2.995,00
There are stories that are more than just stories – they are living memories, breathing legacies. Such is 'Het Ramses Shaffy Archief' (The Ramses Shaffy Archive), a collector's edition that is more than a book: it is a time capsule, a tribute to one of the Netherlands' most iconic artists.
Fifteen years after his passing, Ramses Shaffy is brought back to life – not as a polished memory, but in all his complexity. A man of contradictions: brilliant and vulnerable, captivating and broken. A free spirit who enchanted the Netherlands with his music and presence.
The creators of this archive spared no effort. With the support of the Ramses Shaffy Foundation, Allard Pierson, family, and friends, they have created a magnificent collection. A collection that reveals all facets of Shaffy's life: handwritten letters, lyrics, drawings, album covers – even his personal household items.
One detail typifies the meticulousness and authenticity of this project: a large envelope with the cryptic text 'Keep full ashtray upright'. Literally a snapshot of his life, including the ash, preserved as an intimate portrait.
The book itself is a work of art. With a golden cover referring to his famous song 'Pastorale', symbolized by the sun. The format is imposing – 32 by 46 centimeters, 10 centimeters thick – a true collector's item. On the cover, a lenticular print shows two Ramseses: the young, energetic artist and the man in the autumn of his life.
But the archive goes beyond paper. An enclosed USB stick contains nearly 30 minutes of previously unreleased sound recordings – a voice brought back to life. For the first 175 copies, photographer William Rutten even added a numbered and signed photo.
This is more than a book. It is a cacophony of images, music, and stories – as complex and layered as Ramses Shaffy himself. A tribute to the man who enchanted the Netherlands with classics such as 'Sammy', 'We zullen doorgaan' (We will continue), and 'Zing, vecht, huil, bid, lach, werk en bewonder' (Sing, fight, cry, pray, laugh, work, and admire).
An archive that doesn't musealize Ramses but allows him to breathe, live, and sing – exactly as he always did. A unique work from publisher Komma.
