João Rodrigues Pires (1919–2019)

He was an unavoidable figure in the Portuguese book world, dedicating one hundred years of his life to his passion for books and culture. He began working in the book industry at a very young age, having worked for some of the most prestigious bookstores in Lisbon, including Livraria Lourenço de Melo, Eclética, Bertrand, and Sá da Costa.

At the end of 1945, he began his own journey by founding the bookstore "O Mundo do Livro" (The World of Books), initially located on Rua Nova da Trindade. In 1953, the bookstore moved to Largo da Trindade, where it remains to this day, as a symbol of longevity and dedication to culture and books.

Throughout his career, João Rodrigues Pires left a profound mark on the profession of antiquarian bookseller. He published rare and almost forgotten works, contributing to their rediscovery and preservation. He was also one of the first in Portugal to produce meticulously crafted catalogs, prefaced by illustrious names in Portuguese literature, such as Aquilino Ribeiro. These catalogs, true testaments to erudition and good taste, reached universities, libraries, and collectors scattered throughout the world.

Later, he dedicated himself to re-editing old engravings about Portugal, a gesture that demonstrated his deep respect for collective memory and his desire to disseminate the most beautiful works produced about the country throughout the centuries.

He worked until he was 100 years old, a rare example of vitality and love for his art. His life and work remain a tribute to book culture and the essential role of booksellers and publishers in preserving Portuguese cultural heritage.