Provenance: Don Felipe R. Hidalgo Collection

ABOUT THE WORK

The first document was written by the Secretary of the Army division, José del Valle, and signed in Manila on October 27, 1832. This official explains that, responding to the provisions approved in 1831 concerning the uniforms of the army and officials, and following the indications of simplicity and economy, he had designed the uniforms for the secretary and the officers of the Defense and Royal Treasury departments. Del Valle declares he has made them following instructions and without having seen the uniforms that were being used at that time in Spain, Cuba or Puerto Rico. He asks a high authority — a certain Enríquez, who answers him in a document signed two days later — to approve his designs for the uniforms, given that at that time they did not exist so that the officials could attend to their work with due decorum. Uniforms are distinguished between dress uniforms and everyday uniforms. The designs and insignia —-the flags of Spain, the castles and lions, the embroideries with silver and gold thread —- are very varied and respond to the hierarchy of each officer. These uniform designs, which were finally approved in Madrid in January 1834 — -as indicated in the brief final document —- were those used by Spanish colonial officials until 1862. This is a unique document, which is not usually found in private hands, but in historical archives, such as the General Archive of the Indies in Seville, or in army archives. (Jorge Mojarro)