Booklet of Universal pH Indicator Paper

Object/Artifact

-

Archive of Cuban Socialism

Name/Title

Booklet of Universal pH Indicator Paper

Entry/Object ID

2025.1.411

Description

Small matchbook-style booklet of pH indicator (test) paper strips in a printed card cover, in the Reakhim product family. Cover in blue/black/cream with a "pH" block (upper right) and printed fields "ПАРТИЯ" (batch) and "ДАТА" (date) — both left blank/unfilled on this example. The interior/reverse shows the tear-out strip pad; a printer's imprint "Paraugtipogrāfija…" (partly legible) appears at the lower right. Heavily soiled and worn.

Use

Leopoldo Arús Gálvez used it when he distilled wine to produce rum at home.

Context

A Soviet laboratory/educational consumable, part of the same Reakhim indicator-paper line as the dated (July 1982) universal pH 7–14 packet also in the collection, but a distinct physical object. Soviet chemical/laboratory supplies reached Cuba through USSR–Cuba bloc trade. As a Soviet import, inclusion rests on documented import to or acquisition in Cuba.

Collection

The Cabrera Arús family collection, Leopoldo Arús Gálvez collection

Acquisition

Accession

2025.1

Made/Created

Manufacturer

Soyuzreaktiv

Place

Country

U.S.S.R.

Region

Eastern Europe

Continent

Europe

Notes

Brand: Реахим (Reakhim) — trademark of the Soviet chemical-reagents supply system. Producer: Всесоюзное объединение «Союзреактив» (Soyuzreaktiv), USSR Ministry of the Chemical Industry — the all-union body under which Reakhim-branded indicator papers were produced/distributed. Specific factory not named on the packet. Printer: ⚠️ imprint reads "Paraugtipogrāfija" (Latvian: "model/sample printing house"), indicating the card cover was printed in the Latvian SSR (the term is Latvian, and "Paraugtipogrāfija" was a Riga printing house). Partly legible — confirm the full imprint. Country of production: USSR (cover printed in the Latvian SSR; reagent-paper production within the Soyuzreaktiv system).

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Notes

Cover: "pH"; "ПАРТИЯ" (batch) — blank; "ДАТА" (date) — blank Printer imprint (lower right): "Paraugtipogrāfija…" (Latvian; partly legible — confirm) Other Reakhim text/logo likely present but effaced by wear — check under magnification.

Parts

1 printed card cover (booklet binding, incomplete) + pad of pH indicator strips (confirm how many remain; largely depleted)

Materials

Material

Paper

Material Notes

Printed card/paperboard cover; chemically treated indicator paper strips; staple binding.

Condition

Overall Condition

Poor

Relationships

Related Person or Organization

Person or Organization

Leopoldo Arús Gálvez

Notes

owner

Related Places

Place

City

Havana

Country

Cuba

Region

Caribbean, Central America

Notes

use

Place

Country

U.S.S.R.

Region

Eastern Europe

Continent

Europe

Notes

production

Place

Location

Latvia

Country

U.S.S.R.

Region

Eastern Europe

Continent

Europe

Notes

printing

Research Notes

Notes

Printer imprint "Paraugtipogrāfija" (Latvian SSR) is a notable new detail — confirm the full imprint under magnification; it may name Riga specifically.

Created By

María A. Cabrera Arús

Create Date

July 28, 2026

Updated By

María A. Cabrera Arús

Update Date

July 28, 2026