August 2001 > Americana > Cuban Non-sports
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Lot 479: 1907 Coca-Cola "Cocaine" Pamphlet
ITEM DESCRIPTION
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Historically important six-pager was created in Cuba regarding a study by Dr. Gaston Cuadrado of the Academy of Science of Havana. It is a detailed analysis of chemical tests to show that there was no longer cocaine present in Coca-Cola. Originally there were small levels present. However, in the 1890's, cocaine was believed to be a cause of racial violence by drug-crazed blacks. The New York Tribune published an article in 1903 linking Coca-Cola with black crime and calling for legal action against the company. Shortly thereafter Coke quietly switched to "spent" coca leaves (with no cocaine present) and completed this study as a propaganda device. Pamphlet has a couple of chips and a couple of small stains. The only one specimen we know to exist. This was published in Cuba (in Spanish) because of the sugar monopoly there. 8.5x5.75".
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