[Cuba]. [Promotionals]

Isle of Pines. West Indies [caption title]

[N.p. ca. 1910]. 11pp. of folio typescript, totaling around 3,000 words, with a handful of manuscript corrections. Old folds, minor marginal stains from old paper clips. Very good. Item #5377

An anonymously-written typescript promotional and business prospectus touting the Isle of Pines (Isla de la Juventud) off the southern coast of Cuba in the West Indies. The author writes of the many advantages of the Isle of Pines, noting "This interesting little island is situated about 50 miles south of Cuba in the Caribbean Sea" with a population of "well-to-do Americans who own about 95% of the island and are after the other 5%." The author also states that "the laborers are mostly 'Pineros' or Isle of Pines people and are very efficient. They are kind and courteous and seem well pleased with the present situation. They are paid from $1.00 to $1.50 per day according to the grade of work." More of the usual language encouraging emigration to the island follows, describing the agriculture, climate, soil, government, business environment, the "old Spanish cities on the island," and more, along with several pages of cost estimates for creating a working ten-acre fruit grove. The anonymous author mentions that he and his partner in Nueva Gerona, J.A. Miller, bought forty acres in Cuchilla Alta or Santa Ana Estates at $40 per acre from H.R. Leland, "the sole representative in the United States." The author states he has given up his profession as an engineer in order to devote his time and energy to building a grapefruit grove and pineapple farm and to get others interested in investing with him ("We will organize a Development Company with a Citrus Fruit Expert at its head..."). He concludes by reiterating that "the country itself is a delightful place to live...raises a superior quality of fruit" and he is glad he "learned about it in time to enable us to enjoy all the benefits of the 'Great Ground Floor.'"

Price: $650.00