A Flying Trip to the Tropics: A Record of an Ornithological Visit to the United States of Colombia, South America and to the Island of Curaçao,
Editor's noteI am planning to curate the history of the World Cup Nation. I was amazed to see Curaçao. So I searched and found not a history book but travel and description hook of this Island. Illustrated by "Keulemans, J. G. (John Gerrard), 1842-1912, .
Wirt Robinson (1864–1929), a U.S. Army career officer and West Point instructor in modern languages who also pursued natural history as a serious amateur ornithologist.
The book is a firsthand account of a ship-based ornithological expedition (not an actual flight, despite the whimsical title) in 1892. Robinson documented his travels across Colombia (then part of the United States of Colombia) and the Dutch island of Curaçao in the West Indies, focusing on bird observations in life, specimens collected, and natural history notes on flora and fauna. It includes vivid descriptions of tropical landscapes, collecting challenges in the pre-aviation era, and logistical realities of field work in South America and the Caribbean.
The edition features high-quality production for the era: chromolithographic plates of birds (including four by J.G. Keulemans, a leading Victorian ornithological illustrator), photographs, and an appendix with a bibliography of ornithological works. It is a primary source in the Golden Age of American Ornithology, contributing to the cataloging of Neotropical bird species and serving as one of the few detailed English-language natural histories of Curaçao from the late 19th century.
Curaçao A New World Cup Country
- Colonial roots
Curaçao was a Dutch colony from the 17th century, shaped by African slavery, European trade, and Caribbean culture. By the late 19th century, when Robinson visited, it was a hub of commerce and cultural blending. P
- Natural heritage
In A Flying Trip to the Tropics (1895), Wirt Robinson describes Curaçao’s bird life and landscapes. J.G. Keulemans’ illustrations capture the island’s ecology, showing how Curaçao was seen as a tropical jewel by European naturalists.
- Cultural identity
Curaçao developed a unique Creole language (Papiamentu), Afro-Caribbean traditions, and a society mixing Dutch, Spanish, and African influences. This identity later became central to its football spirit.
- Football heritage
Curaçao’s national team emerged after the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles in 2010. Though new on the global stage, it has produced talented players who often shine in European leagues.
- Symbolic meaning
For the World Cup, Curaçao represents the Caribbean’s voice — small islands with rich histories, now stepping onto the global pitch. Robinson’s 1895 account gives us a snapshot of Curaçao before modern football, making its rise today even more symbolic.