Original invitation, 5 x 4, for a meeting of the Women Lawyers Association of the State of New York on Tuesday, April 21, 1959, at the Statler Hilton Hotel. Invitation goes on to say “Dr. Fidel Castro Ruiz, Prime Minister of the Republic of Cuba, our guest will discuss ‘Modern Concepts of Law.’” Signed on the reverse in blue ballpoint by Castro. Some scattered light surface creases, a bit of mild toning and soiling, and trivial surface loss to top right corner of reverse, otherwise fine condition.
On January 1, 1959, Castro's revolutionary forces overthrew Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista. Four months later, Castro was on American soil at the invitation of the American Society of Newspaper Editors, protected by 200 men as the new Cuban leader tried to see those who had gathered. His visit bordered on idolatry. During his appearance before the Women Lawyers Association of the State of New York, from which this invitation originates, one woman was overheard describing Castro as resembling ‘a younger Jimmy Stewart.’ Relations between the United States and Castro soon deteriorated rapidly. In less than a year, President Dwight D. Eisenhower ordered the CIA to begin arming and training a group of Cuban exiles to attack Cuba, a disastrous attack carried out under the Kennedy administration now known as the Bay of Pigs invasion. An uncommon and unexpected relic from the Cold War. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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