Brooklyn Beckham's widely ridiculed photography book, 'What I See', has experienced a remarkable surge in its market value, with copies now listed for sale at close to £300. This represents a dramatic increase from its original retail price of just £17 when it was first published nine years ago.
A Notorious Publication
The book, which contains 300 photographs taken by the then 18-year-old Brooklyn, was met with harsh criticism upon its release. Critics and the public alike derided the collection for its frequently out-of-focus images and simplistic, child-like captions. The negative reception was so severe that it reportedly contributed to Brooklyn abandoning his initial career aspirations in photography, leading him to pivot towards becoming an aspiring chef instead.
During its initial sales period from June to October 2017, the book managed to sell only approximately 3,800 copies. Many dismissed it as a vanity project, lacking the technical skill and artistic depth expected of a serious photography publication. The images featured blurry snapshots of Brooklyn and his famous family at various high-profile events, from A-list celebrity parties to luxurious holiday destinations.
Questionable Content
Among the book's more controversial photographs is one that shows only the corners of Brooklyn's shoes as he perilously leans over the edge of a 16-storey building to capture a bird's eye view of the scene below. Accompanying this black and white image, Brooklyn wrote: 'Don't try this at home. My parents were so angry when they saw this. Cool shot though.'
Another photograph that attracted particular derision was his attempt at wildlife photography featuring an elephant, which critics noted demonstrated significant technical shortcomings. The book's overall quality and content became something of a cultural punchline in celebrity circles and beyond.
Current Market Phenomenon
Despite its initial commercial failure and critical panning, 'What I See' has recently become a sought-after collector's item. On eBay, one seller has listed a copy for an astonishing £297.63, while another offers a signed edition for £85. The seller of the higher-priced item describes it as being in new condition, opened only for signing, and includes event memorabilia from a Los Angeles signing event on August 2nd, 2017.
The seller of the £85 copy enthusiastically promotes it as 'a signed first edition hardcover book' with 304 pages that 'delves into the celebrity lifestyle and general subjects', making it 'a unique addition to any photography enthusiast's collection'. They emphasize that the autograph 'adds a personal touch to this special edition, making it a valuable and sought-after item for fans of the talented photographer'.
While the physical book is currently out of stock on Amazon, a Kindle version remains available for £8.99, highlighting the significant disparity in value between digital and physical collector's editions.
Family Feud Context
The surge in the book's value coincides with a very public and bitter feud between Brooklyn Beckham and his parents, former England football captain Sir David Beckham and ex-Spice Girl Victoria Beckham. The conflict reached new heights this week with Brooklyn making a series of explosive allegations on social media.
Among his most serious claims is that his parents attempted to 'bribe' him into signing away the rights to his own name in the lead-up to his 2022 wedding to billionaire's daughter Nicola Peltz. Brooklyn alleges that when he refused to sign the agreement, his relationship with his parents deteriorated significantly, and they 'have never treated me the same since'.
Conflicting Accounts
Sources close to the Beckham family have countered these allegations, insisting there was no bribe or undue pressure. They claim the proposed agreement was intended to protect Brooklyn's interests amid Sir David's commercial dealings, particularly after he sold 55% of DB Ventures to Authentic Brands Group for approximately £200 million.
According to these insiders, the agreement would have ensured that Brooklyn and his siblings were 'carved out' of commercial arrangements that gave certain rights over the Beckham surname to business partners. Some sources suggest that Brooklyn may have been 'turned against' signing the paperwork by those connected to his wife Nicola.
Wider Fallout
The family dispute has generated significant media attention and public discussion. Sir David Beckham, while attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, was heckled by journalists asking about the feud. He declined to answer direct questions but later spoke generally about the challenges of parenting in the social media age, emphasizing the importance of educating children about both the dangers and positive potential of online platforms.
Even Downing Street became involved in the discussion, with a spokesman for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer commenting that while it was a private family matter, 'The Prime Minister has always been clear that diplomacy is very important.'
The controversy has also drawn reactions from various celebrities, including Lily Allen, presenter Vogue Williams, Piers Morgan, and comedian Katherine Ryan, making it a trending topic across social media platforms and entertainment news outlets.
As the Beckham family drama continues to unfold, the unexpected resurgence in value of Brooklyn's once-mocked photography book adds an intriguing dimension to the ongoing narrative of celebrity, family dynamics, and the unpredictable nature of collectible markets.
