The Land of Romance - Cuba [Conrado Massaguer - Cover Art]

Havana: Ucar Garcia Co., 1935. Stapled Wraps. Near Fine/No Dust Jacket As Issued.

Printed color wraps illustrated by Conrado W. Massaguer. One of the most attractive promotional brochures for pre-Castro Cuba with wonderful photo illustrated double-page features with graphic titles covering every aspect of Cuban life and culture thought to be appealing to affluent American tourists.

No Flaws or Blemishes but minimal shelf handling with a travel agent stamp on front wrapper, else near fine. 8.25 by 9 inches; 35 pages.  [Title from cover recto; subtitle from verso.]

Uncommon with only three copies located in institutions. (truncated) (UM, FIU, Yale) [OCLC/WorldCat]. The guidebook is a treasure trove of diverse subjects, spanning sightseeing, golf, hunting, fishing, Carnival revelry, vibrant nightlife in nightclubs and casinos, visits to sugar, coffee, and tobacco plantations, as well as the allure of Havana's cosmopolitan offerings.

But its standout feature is the captivating cover art, a masterful illustration by the esteemed Cuban artist Conrado W. Massaguer (1889 – 1965). Massaguer, revered as a pivotal figure in early 20th-century Cuban graphic arts, excelled not only as a painter and muralist but also as a caricaturist and magazine publisher. His impactful works transcended borders, gracing publications in Europe and the United States during his self-imposed exile in the 1920s.

Beyond his artistic prowess, Massaguer championed tourism as a beacon of hope for his homeland's economic prosperity. A cultured and sophisticated figure, he stood in opposition to the increasingly oppressive Machado regime that held sway over Cuba from 1924 to 1933. Seeking refuge in New York City during those turbulent times, Massaguer lent his talent to iconic magazines like Vanity Fair, The New Yorker, and Redbook, contributing striking caricatures and cover art. (Inventory #: 17605)