Album of photographs of Puerto Rice during the Spanish-American War. Ponce and vicinity, Puerto Rico, 1898. Original full red leather with lace tie, gilt insignia of U.S. Army artillery on upper cover consisting of two crossed cannons and an ‘A.’ 105 bromide prints mounted in windows on 25 paperboard leaves. 4 photographs measure 3.5” x 4.375”, 21 measure 3.125” x 3.125”, and 16 measure 2.125” x 3.125”; all dimensions are sight size. Numerous photos with captions in the negative. Very good condition.
While most Spanish American War albums relate to the activities and events of Cuba, the present example is a scarce album documenting the activities of an American artillery unit in Puerto Rico. Included here are images of military encampments, street scenes, a ship identified as the Minneapolis, soldiers bathing in a river, soldiers firing cannons into the hills (near their encampment), and others engaged in exercises as well as goofing off (one riding a bicycle bow-legged), the local populace, buildings, shipboard scenes, including men lying in hammocks, or wrapped in blankets sleeping on the deck, horses in slings being loaded or unloaded, etc. Some of the captions read: “guard mount,” “street, Porto Ponce,” “fire house, Ponce,” Barracks, Ponce,” “Custom House, Porto Ponce,” “market, Ponce,” “Muchachos” (boys in the street in one case, and in another boys swimming), “Sidney” (could be the horse or its rider), “wash day,” and “Adios, Puerto Rico.” There is little to suggest that the unit whose activities are documented engaged in any serious action. Indeed, their visit to Puerto Rico comes off as a lark. Nevertheless, a valuable record of the scene in Puerto Rico during the Spanish American War.
Date: 1898
Location: Puerto Rico
Medium: Album containing 105 bromide prints
Image Sizes: 4 photographs measure 3.5” x 4.375”, 21 measure 3.125” x 3.125”, and 16 measure 2.125” x 3.125”
Book Size: 7” x 12” x 2”
Binding: Leather Bound Two Hole String Tie
Condition: Very good
$1,800.00