Description:

Bacardi Rum Empire Founder Facundo Bacardi ALS

A 1p autograph letter in Spanish signed by Spanish émigré and entrepreneur Facundo Bacardi (1814-1886), as "Bacardi" near the right center, complete with a bold, downward sweeping signature flourish. [Santiago de Cuba, Cuba]. November 12, 1879. Written on bifold lined paper with "Bacardi y Bouteiller / Santiago de Cuba" letterhead. A revenue or customs stamp, very faint but present, can be found at upper left. Docketed on the last page, presumably in the hand of the letter recipient. The inner pages are blank. Expected wear including transmittal folds, minor closed tears or tiny holes along these folds, and isolated edge chips. The paper has evenly toned and become brittle in places. Some haloing and ink corrosion, else very good to near fine. 8.375" x 10.75."

The letter is untranslated but appears to relate to a business transaction with an associate in Guantanamo, Cuba. The words for "appreciable," "subscribers," and the sum of 158 Cuban pesos and 50 centavos can be picked out of the text. Perhaps the letter regarded a Bacardi company dividend?

Facundo Bacardi had established a premier white rum distillery with a Cuban business partner of French heritage named José Léon Bouteiller, the same Bouteiller whose name appears in the letterhead. The Bacardi, Bouteiller & Company was constituted in 1862, and reorganized as Bacardi & Company in 1874. By employing new distillery technology and launching effective marketing, Bacardi products soon dominated the high-quality Cuban rum market. Its popularity eventually extended to international markets, and it has become a byword for fine spirits. The firm is still family-owned after seven generations; the chairman of the company board of directors is Facundo Bacardi, the namesake, and great-great-grandson of the founder Facundo Bacardi.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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March 30, 2022 10:30 AM EDT
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