Beschreibung:

VENEZUELA--Independence]. A rare and important collection of 6 printed broadsides relating to the independence of Venezuela, printed at Caracas, 1810, condition generally fine. Palau and Medina, in La Imprenta en Caracas , state that the earliest document printed in Caracas was the Gazeta de Caracas , 24 October 1808, although Medina states that the earliest he was able to examine was from 1810, printed by Matthew Gallagher and James Lamb The Englishmen Gallagher and Lamb had come to Caracas from Trinidad, printing their newspaper in small folio format, edited by Andrés Bello, whose "Cancion Patriotica de Caracas" is included in this lot. For the year 1810, Medina lists only 9 issues of the Gazeta and the Guia de Forasteros , which he never examined. Medina describes all of these early Caracas imprints as "rarísimos impresos." Though not all have an imprint, it is nearly certain that the 6 broadsides offered here are from the shop of Gallagher and Lamb, and all were unknown to Medina. Comprising: "Proclama que hizo Don Francisco Rivas y Galindo, joven de edad de quince años, hijo de Don Valentin Rivas uno de los SS. Vocales de la Suprema Junta Gubernativa de Caracas, à los habitantes de Venezuela..." Caracas 20 April 1810. Broadside. Subscribed by the 15 year old son of one of the members of the Supreme Junta Gubernativa de Caracas, only one day after its creation. This was the first attempt to emancipate Venezuela from Spain. This is same Junta that sent Bolívar, Luis López Mendez and Andrés Bello to London, looking for assistance and recognition. The work of the Junta culminated in the proclamation of independence, in March, 1811. Not in Medina Caracas . "La Suprema Junta Gubernativa de esta Capital, ha recibido con la mayor satisfaccion elu voto sincero y generoso de muchos Individuos Españoles Enropeos del Comercio de esta Ciudad..." Caracas, 20 April 1810. Broadside. Subscribed by Josef de las Llamosas and Martin Tovar Puente. Printed one day after the creation of the first independent body of government. The text 'thanks' the "Spanish-European" merchants of the city of Caracas, for their "prompt obedience to the new authorities"... Not in Medina Caracas . "Suplemento a la Gazeta de Caracas... Por noticias comunicadas al Gobierno anterior por el Gobernador de Cumaná, se confirmam nuestros temores y la necesidad de nuestras medidas sobre la suerte de la España..." [Caracas:] Gallagher and Lamb, 27 April 1810. Broadside. Medina lists the Gazeta of this date, but not this supplement, which transmits important news of the French invasion of Spain : "...la causa está perdida..." (the cause is lost....). This document (from the first press in Venezuela) was printed only 8 days after the initial steps for the independence of Venezuela. Not in Medina Caracas . "Manifiesto. La Provincia de Venezuela ha logrado por el ardiente patriotismo de los vecinos de la Capital la dignidad politica que debia tener entre los Pueblos cultos de la America..." [Caracas, 1810.] A most important text related to the initiation of independence in Venezuela. This lengthy text mentions the key dates of April 19-20, this last being "...the first day of political independence..." Not in Medina Caracas . BELLO, Don Andés. "Cancion Patriotica de Caracas." [Caracas, ca. 23 April 1810]. Broadside. Related to the "newly acquired political independence." This patriotic song was performed on April 23 at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Caracas. Don Andrés Bello was a Venezuelan hero and, with Simon Bolivar, represented the first independent government of Venezuela in London. Not in Medina Caracas . "Causa quae sit vuletis: nunc quid agendum sit considerate. Americanos." [Caracas, 1810]. An important historical text in reference to the separation of Venezuela from Spain, due to the "...perfidia y opresión..." by the "...French intervention in Spain..." Not in Medina Caracas . (6)