Apr 08, 2014 - Sale 2344

Sale 2344 - Lot 311

Price Realized: $ 5,500
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 2,000 - $ 3,000
INCLUDING AN IMPORTANT DECREE BY SIMÓN BOLÍVAR (PERU.) Compilation of newspapers, pamphlets and broadsides, many relating to war with Gran Colombia. 100 items bound in one volume. 4to, original 1/4 calf, worn but sturdy; worming throughout, otherwise minor wear. Vp, 1828-31
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Additional Details

Many of these newspapers and broadsides date from the war between Peru and Gran Colombia, the short-lived republic which encompassed northern South America. The most important item in this volume is a printed decree by Simón Bolívar, dated Bogota, 27 August 1828, appointing himself dictator of Gran Colombia. It bears the heading "Simon Bolivar, Libertador Presidente de Colombia &&&." It begins "Colombianos! Las voluntades publicas se habian espresado enerjicamente por las reformas politicas de la nacion." Bolívar explains why he has found it necessary to assume these extraordinary powers. He also assures his countrymen that he will not remain a dictator any longer than necessary, but in the meantime pledges to "commit myself to obey strictly your legitimate desires" ("obligo a obedecer estrictamente vuestros lejitimos deseos"). It is signed in type "Bolivar" as president of Gran Colombia. Only one other copy has been traced at auction (Swann, 31 March 2011, lot 300).
Most of the volume consists of Peruvian weekly and bi-weekly newspapers such as Arequipa Libre (17 issues, 1829-30), El Republicano (Arequipa, 9 issues, 1829-31), La Prensa Peruana (Lima, 12 issues, 1828-29), El Despertador Republicano (Piura, 21 issues, 1829), El Botafuego (Tambo Grande, 9 issues, 1828-29), and El Conciliador (Lima, 3 issues, 1830), as well as a few broadside extras and scattered other newspapers from Argentina, Ecuador, Bolivia, and elsewhere in Peru. A complete list is available upon request.