A Winter in Central America and Mexico 1886 Helen J. Sanborn ~ Woman's Travel Narrative ~ Guatemala, Panama, Coffee [Chase & Sanborn], etc

Title: A Winter in Central America and Mexico

Author: Helen J. Sanborn

Description: First Edition. Inscribed by original owner, who received the book from the author. Boards in ochre cloth with pictorial designs on spine and front in gilt and black. Covers soiled. The inscription on the front free endpaper reads ''From my classmate / and friend - / The Author''. Pinholes in the first few leaves (from where something had been affixed), else interior is clean, with some minor blemishes. pp. 321, plus [2] ads.

In 1885, Helen Sanborn accompanied her father, the co-founder of one of America's largest coffee importers, Chase & Sanborn Company, to Central America, with an itinerary that included Mexico, Guatemala, and Panama in the interest of the business. The arrive at Belize by steamer and travel by pack mule to Coban and Guatemala City. Then, from the coast, they take another steamer to Panama, crossing the isthmus. They steam back to the United States and, after a brief turnaround at New Orleans, return to sea for a voyage to Veracruz, making their way to Mexico City, and then back through northern Mexico.

Helen Josephine Sanborn (1857-1917) was the daughter of James S. Sanborn, co-founder of the Chase & Sanborn Coffee Company of Boston. She was a graduate of the Somerville (Mass.) high school (1875), Salem Normal School (1879), and Wellesley College (1884). She helped found the Instituto Internacional for girls in Madrid and later, in 1906, became a member of Wellesley's board of trustees. The Helen J. Sanborn Professor of Spanish/Latin is named for her.

Binding: Hardcover
Condition: Very Good–

Publisher: Lee and Shepard Publishers
Place: Boston
Year: 1886

Keywords: Central America, Mexico, travel, 1880s, Mexico, Guatemala, Panama, coffee, Chase and Sanborn, Wellesley, alumna,