Published in 1917, Illustrated Descriptive Argentina by Henry Stephens might be perhaps the most literal book title ever conceived. But as explained in the foreward, the author considers this the best way to describe Argentina:
An oracular or written description gives a person one impression; illustrations give a different one; but neither alone can convey to the mind a true idea of a place or an object such as can be imbued by the individual who read and studies a descriptive illustration. It is with this idea, therefore, that I have compiled these illustrations, and from a few words to a few paragraphs on each subject have produced “Illustrated Descriptive Argentina,” which I think is the only work of its kind.
Of course Dr. Stephens couldn’t omit Recoleta Cemetery, so let’s get his opinion:
While basic, his description is more or less accurate. But Dr. Stephens should have had access to our guidebook that advises never, ever to visit during midday… as for the “gruesome” quality of the cemetery, nothing could be further from the truth. Looks absolutely peaceful:
But he does appreciate the quality of art inside:
This is undoubtedly one of the finest works of art in the Recoleta.
This is one of the better class vaults of the Recoleta.
The Basualdo family is one of the wealthiest of Buenos Aires. The final resting place of this member of the family is the acme of art and originality.
Apparently Dr. Stephens thought each mausoleum had been constructed for a single person instead of for use for the entire family in perpetuity. Still, his contribution is incredibly valuable to give all of us a snapshot of what Recoleta Cemetery looked like in the early 1900s… long before the city government charged an entrance fee or before celebrities crawled over crypts. He took the majority of photographs himself & gives credit when they’ve been outsourced.
Marcelo found a scanned PDF copy of this book on the Internet Archive. Please consider donating to them in order to ensure worldwide access to their enormous digital vault of information.
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