ICELAND - THE DIRE YEARS
by Frank Ponzi

In obscurity for more than a century, this recently descovered collection of photographs has been re-emerged to throw new light on a dark and painful period in Icelandic history.

Made on glass plates during the successive hardship years of 1882-1888, they are also among the earliest photographs taken of the country and its inhabitants. The photographs, a related diary, supplementary visual and textual records along with accounts of personages and places are here combined in a narrative that poignantly captures a critical period in the nations history - a time that is now all but forgotten.

Having both English and Icelandic texts, this large format edition (11½ x 12½ in.) contains 180 pages of 165 photographs , illustrations and maps.

COVER IMAGE:

Sunday June 11. th 1882. Þórður Guðmundsson og family before departing from their home at Neðra-Hálsi, Kjós to attend confirmation services at the Reynivellir church.