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We are happy to announce the addition of a new title to Chronicling America! There are now a little over 16,000 pages of Boletín mercantil de Puerto Rico  available for January 1871 through December 1898.

The Boletín mercantil de Puerto Rico was first published in San Juan, Puerto Rico on March 2, 1839 under the title Boletín Instructivo y Mercantil de Puerto Rico. It was one of two main communication methods (the other being La Gaceta) for the Spanish Government on the island. According to scholar Antonio S. Pedreira, it is “a newspaper of transcendental significance in the history of newspapers in Puerto Rico”. The Boletín brings to the forefront, from a conservative stance, the daily life of the Spaniards and their descendants in Puerto Rico and serves as an important resource to study the conservative pro-Spanish political currents in the colony.

It reported on interests of merchants, on-goings of the Conservative Party (Partido Conservador), daily government happenings, major political events, and international news.

 

parte mercantil
Shipping of goods, December 1, 1871

 

incondicional
Boletín’s unwavering support for Spain, December 30, 1887

 

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Boletín denounced by El Clamor, a paper in favor of autonomy, for it’s alignment with the Spanish government, December 30, 1887

 

telegrams
Reports from around the world, December 1, 1871

 

The Boletin also includes articles that provide a glimpse into social/cultural life during the time.

For example, it published several poems, sonnets, dramas, short stories and literary reviews.

memorias
Memories of a solder by Jose Perez Moris, June 22, 1898

 

misionero
Literary section, July 15, 1898

 

It also published announcements of theater performances, identification of actors/actresses, singers, musicians, and orchestras.

teatro
Theatre of “Modern Magic”, March 18, 1877

 

coser
Sewing machine ad, December 10, 1873

 

And several announcements for books, textbooks, school supplies

libros baratos
Cheap books available from the Boletin press, November, 28, 1894

 

Stay tuned! More of this title to come in the upcoming months.

 

***Versión en español se encuentra aquí: Introduciendo el Boletín***

 

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