Description
Octavo, 19pp. Illustrated wraps with stapled spine. Light wear at edges, staining to back panel, monotone illustrations throughout. Signed by Fidel Castro on inserted leaf, titled “Castro In Power,” [4pp], printed text only. Housed in custom brown cloth folio with title on label affixed to front panel. Inscription reads: “Para el Sr. Claude Erbsen, amistosamente, Fidel Castro. Nov. 12, 96.”
Comments: The recipient of this signature was Mr. Claude Erbsen, a longtime member of The Associated Press. In 1969, Castro expelled all American journalists from Cuba, forcing the AP to close its Havana bureau. In late 1996, when the AP tried again to open their bureau, Claude Erbsen was sent to meet with top Cuban officials, who agreed to allowing journalists into the country. Erbsen had ingratiated himself with Cuban officials by continuing to cover Castro, long after the AP Bureau had been exiled from the country.
