PORTUGAL'S CLASSIC BOOKSHOPS
THAT DISAPEAR WITHOUT ANY REGARD FOR THEIR VALUE OR FOR THEIR HISTORY
This was number 17 of one of Lisbon's most important boulevards: Avenida Almirante Reis.
Founded in 1910 as a corset store; it was transformed in an old and cozy bookstore in the 1970's, with valuable and rare books occupying the same furniture that had not been altered since the very beginning.
The tiles you see on the floor are not sold anymore: they were manufactured to absorb water easily and to keep the store warm during the winter. The shelves were unique, made in a Rua dos Anjos carpenter who was very keen on art-nouveau styles. The ceiling had floral combinations and the back office was all made of oak.
Then, came «the crisis era». Who is going to care about some classical store when there is not even a Ministry of Culture anymore? Who is going to stop a business of growing at any (non-specifically-financial) cost? - No-one.
The store was all broken and now is a convenience store with beer, potatoes, gas bottles, batteries and cheap clothing. Its interiors? - Gone with the Wind. Like the title of a book I once bought here, in a precious first edition.
Before
Now
Sem comentários:
Enviar um comentário