#PB27
Ca. 1910s
Oblong Octavo (ca. 14 x 20.5 cm or 5 ½ x 8 in). 19 black card stock leaves. 32 gelatin silver photographs mounted in windows ca. 13.5 x 7.5 cm (5 ¼ x 3 in). Period black morocco album with gilt-tooled generic title “Photographs” on front cover; binder’s paper label “The Housh Co., Makers, Boston” on lower left corner of inner rear cover. Four window slots empty. Both covers and spine rubbed; mounts slightly waved; two images with creases, a few photos faded, but overall a very good album of strong interesting photos.
A lively collection of 32 original gelatin silver snapshot photographs of Brazil, most likely compiled by Americans living in or visiting Rio de Janeiro in the 1910s.
It includes views of Sugarloaf Mountain and Mount Corcovado (the modern-day location of Christ the Redeemer). Four photographs show the residential areas and panoramic views of the waterfront, featuring Basílica Imaculada Conceição, in the neighbourhood of Botafogo. Other photographs of Rio de Janeiro include Palácio Monroe, the seat of the Brazilian Congress (1914-1920) and Senate (1925-1960), demolished in 1976; Rio Branco Avenue (Avenida Central); and the Adriano Ramos Pinto Fountain, in its original location (the neighbourhood of Glória), also featuring the Church de Nossa Senhora da Glória do Outeiro. There is also one photo of Barra Lighthouse in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
Other images in the album include photos of residences and mansions taken in probably New England, a US naval ship, and several snapshots of likely the compiler’s family, as well as their home in Rio de Janeiro.
Overall, an interesting collection of photographs of Rio de Janeiro taken by Americans at the time of the First Brazilian Republic (1889-1930).
