Lot 604
Cuban Land and Steamship Company Archive. Seventeen relics from one of the great swindles of the early 20th century, this Cuban Land and Steamship Company lot includes a stock certificate made out to one Lewis F. Mickey, indicating that gentleman bought eighteen shares for five dollars each. Other items include Mickey's Power of Attorney, several letters on Cuban Land and Steamship stationery, and a map of the Viaro region where Mickey's land (2+ acres) was located. There are seven receipts indicating Mickey made payments from $4.00 to $81.00 to the company. Conditions vary,a couple of letters have split at the folds and there is some toning. Otherwise, conditions are very good.
The United States used their victory in the Spanish American War to enter Cuba for political and commercial purposes. As is always the case, once new opportunities arose, swindles soon followed. The Cuban Land and Steamship Company promised, among other things, "A Free Plantation for Thrifty People" -- plantations of 5 to 40 acres being "given away" and for a "small monthly payment" a guaranteed income -- "The Opportunity of a Lifetime!" We wonder how many archives like this ended up hurled into stoves or torn into a hundred pieces!
Estimated Value $500 - 600.
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