Laughter & Tears [Signed By Author]

by Robert E. Pike

Hardcover

Published January 1, 1971

Reviews

[Carlos West · Rating 4 out of 5]

One might think this book is a revised edition of the author’s 1938 book, Granite Laughter and Marble Tears. Not so, as the subtitle to the 1st book(Epitaphs of Old New England) clarifies. This book covers over 35 states. It is much more than just epitaphs and is in a different format as compared to the 1938 book. Some are not gravestones but instead, markers. There is one for a fish(not a pet), and one for a cow! One photo is not of a stone at all. It’s of an unburied person whose gravestone wasn’t paid for! Sometimes it’s an interesting illustration or sculpture on the gravestone. Most of the buried people you don’t know. Some you will, such as Billy the Kid, Casey Jones, John Wilkes Booth(actually not a gravestone), and other notables but not as well known. Some are crime related. Much research was done for many of the dear departed, which elevates the topic quite a bit. The 3 page foreword is fascinating and gives advice on gravestone photography as a hobby. Read about Dr Pike’s encounter with a witch’s ghost! The whole book is fascinating! Difficult to come by as only 18 libraries have it. Not yet an eBook. This book is almost like an edition of Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Excellent binding and paper quality. Mostly photo’s, one per page. A limited edition of 1000 copies.