Name/Title
Booklet of Red Litmus PaperEntry/Object ID
2025.1.409Description
Small booklet/matchbook-style packet of red litmus test paper strips, bound in a printed red-and-cream card cover with a bold diagonal geometric design. The cover names the product in four languages and carries the manufacturer's (Spolana) logo and wordmark; the reverse carries the exporter's (Chemapol) mark, "Made in Czechoslovakia," and a standard number. Contains a book of individual tear-out litmus strips ("100 x 1").Use
Leopoldo Arús Gálvez used when he distilled wine to make rum.Context
A Czechoslovak-made laboratory/educational consumable exported through the state foreign-trade enterprise Chemapol. The multilingual packaging (Czech, Russian, English, Spanish) reflects production for export across the socialist bloc and to Spanish-speaking allies including Cuba. Such Czechoslovak chemical and laboratory supplies reached Cuba through bloc trade; relevant to the collection's everyday/scientific/educational material culture.Collection
The Cabrera Arús family collection, Leopoldo Arús Gálvez collectionMade/Created
Manufacturer
SpolanaPlace
City
NeratoviceCountry
CzechoslovakiaRegion
Eastern EuropeContinent
EuropeNotes
Spolana Neratovice operated as a Czechoslovak national enterprise from 1949 and exported through Chemapol throughout the socialist period (to 1989–91); this packaging style is mid-to-late 20th century.
Exporter: Chemapol — the Czechoslovak state foreign-trade enterprise for chemicals (Prague), through which Spolana exported most of its production.
Neratovice, Czechoslovakia (manufacturer); Prague (exporter).
"ČSN 686992" (Czechoslovak State Standard number).Inscription/Signature/Marks
Notes
Front cover: product name in four languages — "LAKMUS ČERVENÝ" (Czech); "ЛАКМУС КРАСНЫЙ" (Russian); "LITMUS PAPER RED" (English); "PAPEL DE TORNASOL ROJO" (Spanish) → all meaning "red litmus paper"; "Spolana" logo/wordmark; "100 x 1" (quantity)
Reverse cover: Chemapol logo; "EXPORTED BY CHEMAPOL"; "MADE IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA"; "ČSN 686992"Parts
printed card cover (booklet binding) + book of litmus paper strips (nominally 100 — "100 x 1")Materials
Material
PaperMaterial Notes
Printed card/paperboard cover; litmus-treated paper strips (chemically impregnated); staple binding.Relationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Leopoldo Arús GálvezNotes
ownerRelated Places
Place
City
HavanaCountry
CubaRegion
Caribbean, Central AmericaNotes
usePlace
City
NeratoviceCountry
CzechoslovakiaRegion
Eastern EuropeContinent
EuropeNotes
productionResearch Notes
Notes
Manufacturer Spolana Neratovice (est. 1949, national enterprise) and exporter Chemapol (state chemical foreign-trade firm) both confirmed via research. "ČSN 686992" is a Czechoslovak State Standard designation.
The Spanish-language labeling ("Papel de tornasol rojo") supports an export-to-Cuba (or Latin America) context — a strong circumstantial link to the collection, though provenance should confirm.Created By
María A. Cabrera ArúsCreate Date
July 26, 2026Updated By
María A. Cabrera ArúsUpdate Date
July 28, 2026
