A Photograph Album of Trinidad At the Turn of the 19th Century

This whimsical collection of photographs of the 19th and early 20th century was Paria Publishing’s first “coffee table book” and first published in 1985 in a very large format exclusively in a local print run in Trinidad.

In 2024, to commemorate the first anniversary of Gérard A. Besson’s death, Paria decided to re-publish the book and make it available worldwide via online book stores in a somewhat smaller format. The book was also augmented — according to Gérard’s wishes —  with some new old photographs that have been added to Paria’s archives in the last decades.

The publication of these photographs was made possible mainly because of two splendid albums of old photographs of Trinidad that were given to Besson by Michael Pocock and Ruby Harding Findlayson. They are mostly of the 1890's and they form the basis of this album. Various other contributors have added photographs to the Album. 

About the Editor:

Gérard A. Besson, HBM, D.Litt.h.c. was the founder of Paria Publishing in 1981, and he held the position as our Chairman until 2023. A dedicated historian, there was little he didn't know about the history of Trinidad and Tobago. Jerry created Paria's historical archive that can make thousands of historical photographs and documents available for customers who are looking for content, and specialised in museum and exhibition design. Jerry was an independent scholar and author. He died on 25 July 2023 at the age of 81.

Other works by Gérard A. Besson:

Fiction:

Tales of the Paria Main Road (Creative Advertising 1973); A Diary of Dreams (Paria Publishing 1988); The Voice in the Govi (Paria Publishing 2011); From the Gates of Aksum (Paria Publishing 2013); Roume de St. Laurent ... A Memoir (Paria Publishing 2016); Philippine Vols 1 and 2 (Paria Publishing 2024). 

Non-Fiction: 

A Photograph Album of Trinidad at the Turn of the 19th Century (Paria Publishing 1985 and 2024); From Colonial to Republic (Republic Bank, with Selwyn Ryan 1987); Folklore and Legends of Trinidad and Tobago (Paria Publishing 1991); The Book of Trinidad (Paria Publishing, with Bridget Brereton 1991 and 2010); The Angostura Story (Paria Publishing 2000); The Angostura Historical Digest (Paria Publishing 2002); Scotiabank - The First 50 Years (Paria Publishing 2004); The History of Ansa McAL in the Caribbean (Paria Publishing 2006); The Cult of the Will (Paria Publishing 2010)

978-976-8244-57-4

240 pages

Hardcover

Fully illustrated in black and white

Available on Amazon.