Wessing, Koen (1942-2011). — Chili september 1973. [Original first edition].

Amsterdam, De Bezige Bij, 1973, 1st ed., (44) pag., without text, photo-illustrated throughout by Koen Wessing in bl/w, original printed wrappers, small quarto (24,8 x 20 cm.). = Koen Wessing's Chili, September 1973 is a shocking photo-document by a socially concerned and politically engaged Dutch journalist. Published in 1973, only months after the fall of Salvador Allende to Augusto Pinochet's coup d'etat, it shows the tense days of the military attempt to root out public opposition in the streets of Santiago. Parr/ Badger, The Photobook: A History (Vol. 1), p. 229: "This book begins with a double-page spread of a pile of burning papers. On the top a face can be glimpsed: President Salvador Allende of Chile, overthrown by a military revolt. Allende had been democratically elected, but the United States, in one of the most disreputable episodes in its recent history, deemed his socialist government a Marxist threat to American interests in South America. The CIA actively worked to destabilize the country and supported the military junta of General Augusto Pinochet, who seized power in September 1973. The far-from-bloodless coup leaves today's Chile still trying to come to terms with the damage done to its democratic institutions over three decades ago There are not many images in the book, but each is carefully considered, modest and succinct, spread across a double page in graphic gravure. Despite the difficulties of taking photographs in such a tense and difficult situation, Wessing never forgets the value of composition and lighting control." Fine copy with only 2 minimal waterdrops visible at top of spine section.