Real Sociedad Económica de Amanetes de la Patria de Guatemala collection

Real Sociedad Económica de Amanetes de la Patria de Guatemala was a formally organized association established in 1795 by King Charles III as a way to grow Spain's economic and intellectual interests in Guatemala. Sociedad Económica was also used as a way to showcase advancement in science and technology and Enlightenment philosophy. Similar Sociedad Económica associations were also organized by Spain in their American colonies but did not see as much success in influencing local day-to-day life. While not intended to be political in nature, certain Sociedad Económica reforms did sometimes drift into involving local politics and government affairs leading to their legal licenses being revoked by Spain, including in Guatemala. The Sociedad Económica in Guatemala was reestablished in 1966 and colloquially known at times as Sociedad Económica de Amigos del País.

This formerly-bound collection of 64 pamphlets, printed and manuscript documents was acquired as part of a large purchase of volumes from Chicago's John Crerar Library in 1954. At the time of its acquisition, it bore the John Crerar Library call number: L306. 682 1. It was disbound in April 1972, and the individual documents and pamphlets foldered separately.