Circa 1857 - 1918 A Photographic, Documentary and Ephemeral Record of the Academic Achievements & Life of the Carbonell Family of Habana Cuba
Cuba: 1857. Collection. Good. Item #030167
The Carbonells were of great political, scientific, diplomatic and business prominence in Cuba before the 20th century Revolution, as evidenced here by the various degrees, awards and membership documents, including that signed by the President of the Republic. Most members subsequently emigrated to the U.S. after their properties were confiscated under the Castro regime. Of particular interest is the career of Jos? Mar?a Zarragoitia y Carbonell, a Havana-born engineer who graduated from Norwich University Vermont in 1906 and went on to a long career in engineering in his home country, "?having helped to construct the important Air Base of San Julian, Pinar del Rio, Cuba, working steadily there up to the time of its completion. His last work was in the Pontezuela Dam, for the aqueduct of the City of Canaguey?When the United States declared war on Japan, he went to the U S. Embassy here in Havana to offer his services, if not for active duty due to his age, at least as an engineer?" (Rosa and Mercedes Carbonell, writing notice of their brother's death for the Norwich University Record publication) In roughly chronological order, the collection includes: Photographs: 1865 - 1887 [5] photos; 1887 Mercedita & criandera Maria Tejera ; Grandfather 1875; and again in 1878 graduating with his law degree Habana; 1865 carte-de-visite of Dr. Manuel Carbonell y Ruiz "hermano de Abuelo"; a group photo of grandparents & Rosa Rita & Mercedita. Affixed to the same sheet is the thermoplastic business card of Establecimiento Fotografico de G. Fernandez Carrido Habana. 1868 - 1898 Group of [6] photos, family portraiture of Meredith & Rosa Rita, Carbonell brothers as children; the brothers at Guanabacoa school and a 1868 carte-de-visite of grandfather after his graduation. A faded photo of Guanabacoa 1897-1898 shows the brothers and their dogs, staff and Black servants. 1899 - 1908 Carbonell brothers Ramon Raul & Jose New York; a photo of Rosa Rita & Mercedita and grandparents "En los Ca[t]skills 1908"; and three tintypes in their holders, of Ramon & Jose as children and one-year old Mercedita and her (un-named) Black criandera (nanny). C. 1904 - 1908 Series of three portrait photographs identified as Jose Carbonell y Zarragoitia while a student at Norwich University; two of these in cadet uniform. Approx. 3 ?" x 5 ?"; laid-down to paper backer. Awards, Certificates, Degrees, Appointments: 1857 Universidad de la Habana baccalaureate degree in Philosophy for Carbonell y Ruiz, signed and sealed; Latin text. Approx. 12 ?" x 18" overall size; old discoloration at lower left corner; in good condition. 1857 Another, as above, awarding the baccalaureate in Philosophy of Science. 1861 Universidad de la Habana baccalaureate degree in jurisprudence for Carbonell y Ruiz, signed and sealed; Latin text. Approx. 11 ?" x 17" overall size; old discoloration at lower right corner; in fair to good condition. 1861 Membership certificate for the Real Sociedad Economica de la Habana signed by this learned society's governing board and welcoming Ramon Carbonell y Ruiz as a member. Approx. 12 1/2" x 17 1/4"; affixed to black paper backer; old discoloration at left side; in fair to good condition. 1866 Leceo Artistico y Leterario del Havana graduation diploma for Jose maria Carbonell y Ruiz, signed by school dignitaries. Approx. 12 ?" x 16 ?"; affixed to black paper backer; corners chipped and worn away, old discoloration in bottom corner; in fair to good condition. 1867 Certificate, Utile Dulci Recreo de Pueblo-Nuevo Matanzas certifying Carbonell y Ruiz as Socio Facultativo and signed. Approx. 12 ?" x 18"; affixed to black paper backer; couple of corners chipped and worn away, old discolorations and trimmed close at bottom and top; in fair to good condition. 1871 (Another) Real Sociedad Economica de la Habana certificate, noting membership in good standing and signed by this learned society's leadership board. Approx. 9" x 11 1/2"; affixed to black paper backer; in very good condition. 1875 Universidad de la Habana awarding Asignatura de Economia Politica y Estadristica honors course for Carbonell y Ruiz, signed and sealed. Approx. 10" x 15 1/2" overall size; old discoloration at lower left corner and poor paper repair also at left, obscuring some letters; top corner chipped; in fair to good condition. 1892 Certificate El Circulo de Abogados de la Habana, signed and sealed. Approx. 8" x 13"; affixed to black paper backer; edges crudely trimmed; in good condition. 1894 Certificate of academic excellence from Escuelas Pias de Guanabacoa for Jose Carbonell y Zarrogoitia, signed. Approx. 8" x 12"; affixed to black paper backer. In very good condition. 1894 Certificate of academic excellence (as above) from Escuelas Pias de Guanabacoa for Ramon Carbonell y Zarrogoitia, signed. Approx. 8" x 12"; affixed to black paper backer. In very good condition. 1910 Certificate of citizenship for Ramon Ysidro Restituto Margarita Carbonell y Ruiz the Republica de Cuba, signed by Jose Francisco Remirez de Estenoz, Secretary of the Republic and with official blind-stamp seal. Approx. 11 ?" x 12 ?"; affixed to black paper backer; in very good condition. 1914 Certificate signed and with his blind-stamp seal by Mario G. Menocal (1866 - 1941) 3rd Presidente of the Republica, bestowing the "Titulo de Notario" for Carbonel y Ruiz, resident of Mayare. Two-sided, with additional attestations and signatures on the reverse. Approx. 12 1/2" x 17 ?"; old paper tape at left margin; document paper darkened, with some bleed-through of reverse writing and with old spotting and discoloration; in fair to good condition. Miscellaneous: 1918 Certificate, Asociacion General Del Rosario Perpetuo, membership for Rosa Carbonell. Approx. 8" x 9 ?"; printed with colors and affixed to black paper backer, trimmed oddly along left edge; along with [6] color-printed religious cards; one is dated 1908 in pen; two small pasted-in note-slips noting the Primera Comunion de Gerardo Montejo y Carbonell la Vibora Habana in 1917 and another for the First Holy Communion of Amelia Desvernine at the Church of the Sacred Heart New York in 1909. In very good condition. (Undated) Typed poetry broadside, with manuscript title "Un Hombre Agradecido" - Estimado Carbonel:/Por juzgarlo procedente/cojo maquina y papel/y le escribio lo siguiente:?" Unsigned and undated. Approx. 4 ?" x 10 ?" size; pasted down to backer; faint old fold line; in very good condition. (1886 - 1895) A group of mostly French & European-printed Christian religious inspirational cards; one card with elaborate layers of decoration. With various notes for Mercedes Carbonell y Zarragoitia; Rosa Rita Carbonell y Zarragoitia and Maria Ana a Rosa Rita & Maria Fejera. (Another sheet) Of [15] religious cards, various sizes and styles. (Another sheet) Of [9] religious cards. Evidence of the loss of one card, removed. Condition as noted; good overall.
Price: $450.00