ANGEL AYOROA - PICTURE POST CARD SIGNED - HFSID 46766

ANGEL AYOROA
Sepia-tone picture post card of Angel Ayoroa, who led Bolivian troops to victory over Paraguayan forces at the Battle of Cañada Cochabamba during the Chaco War between Paraguay and Bolivia
Picture post card signed "Angel Ayoroa". Black ink notation in unknown hand and label on verso. B/w sepia-toned, 3¼x5½ overall, 2½x3¾ image, one surface. Spanish-language post card with blank message side. According to the label on verso, Ayoroa is shown as Minister of National Defense. Bolivian Colonel Ayoroa was one of two officers, along with Major Eduardo Paccieri, who led Bolivian troops to victory over Paraguayan forces at the Battle of Cañada Cochabamba (May 13 to May 24, 1934) during the Chaco War (1932-1935). The Chaco War, between Paraguay and Bolivia, stemmed from the War of the Pacific (1879-1884), in which Paraguay claimed all of Bolivia's coastline. Bolivia wanted access to the Pacific Ocean via the Río de la Plata and the plains of the Gran Chaco, which Bolivia incorrectly thought held oil reserves. The two countries called a truce on June 12, 1935 after the deaths of 100,000 troops. They later signed a peace treaty on July 21, 1938, which awarded most of the Gran Chaco to Paraguay but gave Bolivian their coveted Pacific access and a port on the Paraguay River, Puerto Casado. Lightly toned, foxed, soiled, cracked, creased and bowed. Missing bottom right corner. Rounded and worn corners with paper loss in top right corner. Folded once and unfolded. Light chipping along fold. Card is broken along fold. Otherwise in fine condition.