PERSONAL EFFECTS ATTRIBUTED TO GENERAL ANTONIO MACEO GRAJALES (1845–1896), “EL TITÁN DE BRONCE”

Objects of the Cuban War of Independence, c. 1890–1897. A compelling assemblage traditionally preserved as the personal effects of General Antonio Maceo Grajales, second‑in‑command of the Cuban Ejército Libertador and the most iconic field commander of the Guerra de Independencia (1895–98).

Celebrated as “El Titán de Bronce,” Antonio Maceo Grajales (1845–1896) was the towering figure of Cuba’s late‑19th‑century independence struggles, wounded repeatedly in action, co‑architect with Máximo Gómez of the 1895 invasion from Oriente to the west, and killed at San Pedro de Punta Brava on 7 December 1896. Objects personally associated with Maceo are of the highest patriotic significance in Cuba and are seldom encountered outside institutional collections.

The present group represents the material world of the mambí officer in the field quite well. Particularly notable items include the watch with its intimate wartime inscription dated March 1896, and the lighter engraved “Cuba Libre.”The medal, while entirely of the correct patriotic idiom, commemorates the full 1895–98 struggle and was likely issued or retailed after Maceo’s death; it is included here as a memorial addition rather than a piece he could have worn in life. The revolver‑knife, binoculars, and utility knife reflect practical accoutrements of a campaigning officer.

The group comprises:

1. Silver pocket watch, open‑face, engine‑turned case (marked PACIFIC WATCH and .900), white enamel dial with Arabic chapters and subsidiary seconds; together with two contemporary circular manuscript slips formerly enclosed within the case: one dated “20 Marzo 1896”; the other inscribed in Spanish, “Amigo: Si la revolución triunfa, ya se lo cambiaré por algo mejor; si no, habré muerto y Ud. lo conservará como un recuerdo de mí”(“Friend: if the revolution triumphs I will replace this with something better; if not, I shall have died and you will keep it as a remembrance of me”). The outer case is hand-engraved in a cartouche with “Anto Maceo 1893.

2. Friction lighter, brass mechanism in a blackened metal sleeve engraved “Cuba Libre”; preserved in a small contemporary cardboard box printed with the Cuban arms and red velvet lining.

3. Veterans’/commemorative medal, bronze, GUERRA DE INDEPENDENCIA DE CUBA / 1895–1898, Cuban shield and laurel on obverse, suspended from its retailer’s bar stamped “FREEMAN, MERCADERES 2, HABANA.”

4. Field glasses, brass‑bodied binoculars with the period woven cord.

5. Camp/utility knife, multi‑blade with bone or celluloid‑covered scales, incorporating knife, fork, spoon, and corkscrew.

6. Pinfire revolver with integral bowie‑form blade (continental manufacture, late 19th century), of the type favored as a personal side‑arm in irregular warfare.

7. Various small cases and etuis associated with the foregoing. A modern label reading “Personal Effects of General Antonio Maceo” accompanies the group.

Viva la Cuba lighter in box: 2 7/8 x 1 3/8 in.

Silver Pocket Watch 2 x 2 3/4 in.

Brush in sheath: 1 1/4 x 3 1/4 in.

Multitool in case/bag: 1 3/4 x 5 in.

Pistol with Blade Bayonet: 10 1/2 x 3 3/4 in.

Guerra Pin: 1 1/2 x 2 1/4 in. 

Binoculars: 4 5/8 x 6 7/8 in.