(Latin American Photography).

Ford Armando

Buenos Aires: Ford Armando, 1953. Unique album. Double spiral-bound thick octavo bound in leather with a metal presentation label with silk ribbon inlay mounted to the front board. The label reads: "To Arthur J. Wieland / As a souvenir / Of the inauguration / Of the Agency / Ford Armando / June 30th, 1953 / B. Aires / R. Argentina". Wieland was the vice president of Ford International, largely responsible for the company's growth in Latin America. This remarkable album consists of 60 pages of original photographic images mounted on both sides of each page. The first 16 images depict the dealership itself, with extraordinary shots of the showroom floor. The remaining pages document the opening party, which appears to have been quite an event. Some of the images are photomontage. Unfortunately the photographer is not credited, and my research has not turned up any leads. Leather a tad scuffed; vast majority of the images strong and clear.