1854 1ed Havana CUBA Ballou Tobacco Bull-Fighting Agriculture SLAVERY Cuban

1854 1^ed Havana CUBA Ballou Tobacco Bull-Fighting Agriculture SLAVERY Cuban

 

“The city of Havana is surrounded by a high wall and ditch, and its gates are always strictly guarded by soldiery, no stranger being permitted to pass unchallenged.”

― Maturin M. Ballou, History of Cuba, on seeing Havana

 

The United States has always had an ever-changing relationship with Cuba. Maturin Ballou, a writer of numerous popular travel books, wrote two very distinct histories of Cuba. “History of Cuba, or Notes of a Traveller” was a rather unusual book written for the general public of the United States. According to “The Southern Literary Messenger,

“The interest felt far and wide on the subject of the Island of Cuba, at the present juncture of affairs, will cause this volume to be extensively rend. Mr. Ballou has gone over a great deal of ground, and has presented the salient points of Cuban life and history in a neat and attractive manner. The historical details are of much interest, and the sketches of Cuban manners, the cigar smoking propensities of the ladies, and the insouciant habitudes the Spanish population, will be read with interest and instruction. The reader will have obtained a very clear and connected view of the history of the Island while simply amusing himself; and this is the utmost which any reader can desire. The volume contains numerous wood cuts of average merit.” (Thompson, XX:712)

Ballou discusses many topics including politics, slavery, religion, music and theatre, bull-fighting, tobacco consumption, agriculture, trade, and more. A fine copy with six engravings.

 

Item number: #517

Price: $ 350

 

BALLOU, Maturin M.

 

History of Cuba, or, Notes of a traveller in the tropics : being a political, historical, and statistical account of the island, from its first discovery to the present time

 

Boston : New York : Phillips, Sampson and Company ; J.C. Derby, 1854. First edition.

 

Details:

• Collation complete with all pages: 230, [6]
  • 6 illustrated plates
• References: Sabin 2972; Cundall 650; Thompson, Southern Literary Messenger;
• Binding: Hardcover; fabric, tight and secure
• Language: English
• Size: ~8in X 5.5in (20cm x 13cm)

 

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