About this Item
Oblong folio (approx. 12" x 16" overall), original padded leather, with elaborate filigreed silver (?) corner-pieces and central band bearing two engraved shields (Cuban and American), and a central medallion bearing the name of the school and the Buffalo Exposition, a.e.g., silk moiré endpapers; leather a little scuffed, the endpapers loosening, but in all the binding is very good and sound; internally fine. Containing an autograph leaf signed by the director and 20 instructors and professors, 7 printed leaves of text within red borders describing the Institute's curriculum, professors, natural history museum, gymnasium, etc., and 37 original photographs on printed mounts with decorative borders, depicting professors, benefactors, alumni, classrooms, views of buildings (both interior and exterior), library, and museum. The photographs are by C. Ruiz de Castro of Matanzas of whom there seems to be scant information. Photographs measure 7˝" x 10" on mounts 11˝" x 14". The Institute exists to this day. Started in September 1839, it went through many transformations over the years. By the mid-1860s the school was offering degrees in "Reasoned Arithmetic, Algebra, Topography, Geometry, Trigonometry, History, Physics, Line Drawing, Bookkeeping, Applied Chemistry, Geography and Commercial Statistical Geography, Industrial Mechanics, Natural History, Political Economy and in terms of languages: English and French." Shortly thereafter were added "Grammar, Latin, Greek, Sacred History and Religion, Psychology, Logic and Morals." By 1895 two chairs were added, "Linear Drawing and Natural Drawing and it also had a Museum of Natural History with collections of snails and invaluable plants and specimens of the fauna and flora of Cuba." See a good history of the Institute online at dcubanos.com/rinconcuba/instituto-de-segunda-ensenanza-de-matanzas.
Seller Inventory # 58762
Contact seller
Report this item
