1877 Matanzas Cuba Viuda de Labayen & Alvarez – Historic Hardware Company Documents – Pair

Pair of original 1877 commercial documents from Matanzas, Cuba, recording the transition of a prominent 19th-century hardware and importing business from Francisco Labayen & Co. to Viuda de Labayen y Alvarez.

Both documents are dated October 1, 1877, Matanzas.

The first announces that the term of Francisco Labayen y Cía. had expired and that the partnership was dissolved by mutual agreement, with its liquidation entrusted to the managing partners.

The companion circular announces the formation of the successor firm Viuda de Labayen y Alvarez, established to continue the business of the former company. It identifies Doña Ana Ramos, widow of Don Francisco Labayen, and Don Hipólito Alvarez as managing partners.

The illustrated letterhead identifies the establishment as an “Almacén de Ferretería” at Gelabert 30, Matanzas, dealing in agricultural implements, machinery and related merchandise.

Historical Cuban commercial directories document Labayen y Comp. as a hardware and importing business in Matanzas, providing valuable historical context for these surviving documents.

One circular retains the particularly attractive illustrated company letterhead, while both preserve period typography, original manuscript additions and the handwritten signature associated with Hipólito Alvarez.

Together, the two documents provide a fascinating record of business succession in Spanish colonial Cuba, preserving the moment when the Labayen commercial enterprise passed into the hands of the founder's widow and her business partner.

An excellent piece of Cuban commercial history for collectors of Matanzas memorabilia, Cuban ephemera, colonial documents, business history and 19th-century Caribbean material.

Date: October 1, 1877
Location: Matanzas, Cuba
Businesses: Francisco Labayen y Cía. / Viuda de Labayen y Alvarez
Business type: Hardware, agricultural implements and machinery
Address shown: Gelabert 30, Matanzas
Quantity: Two related original documents
Language: Spanish
Period: Spanish Colonial Cuba

Condition

Both documents are in authentic antique condition with substantial age toning and foxing, original horizontal and vertical folds, edge wear, small tears and losses, creasing and handling marks. The lower edges and corners show particularly noticeable wear. Printing and handwriting remain substantially legible, and the illustrated commercial letterhead and manuscript signatures remain well defined.

The condition is entirely visible in the photographs and should be considered part of the historical character of these approximately 150-year-old documents.