Between the Covers

Hardcover. Two albums. Oblong folios measuring 12.5" x 9.5" and 12" x 9". The first album is string-tied black leatherette with "the memoriam" stamped in silver on the front board; the second album is a string tied gray faux snake skin album. Contains 28 black and white gelatin silver photographs measuring 7" x 9" over the two albums without captions. Very good with some detached but present pages; albums with fine photographs.

Two photo albums depicting an Italian funeral procession in the late 1950s. Both album start with a plaque shrouded in black cloth which reads “Preci e sacrifice per canima cara di Fiordalice Maria Stocchetti” (prayers and sacrifices for my dear Canima of Fiordalice Maria Stocchetti). This type of “poster” or notice of a funeral is part of the Italian funeral tradition and is used to invite all members of the town or community to join the ceremony. The images then show the coffin and flowers being loaded onto an elaborately decorated hearse surrounded by mourners. The mourners then followed the deceased through the city streets dressed fashionably in black until they arrived at the church. The interior of the church is photographed as well as the clergy performing the ceremony.

A unique collection of funeral photographs depicting an upper middle class ceremony full of Italian traditons.

Item #411871