1739 Colonial Philadelphia Merchant’s Correspondence — Fur Trade, Shipping & a Disputed Legal Release
An extensive colonial mercantile manuscript containing draft correspondence concerning Philadelphia’s trade with Britain, overseas shipments, merchandise purchases, and difficulties surrounding a legal release.
The longer letter discusses a release placed in the hands of attorney Peter Evans, the need for witnesses and examination, and the expense and frustration of resolving the matter. The writer pointedly remarks that “Lawyers are not always the most Exact in Doing of Business.”
Commercial passages record detailed orders for men’s and boys’ hats, acknowledge goods arriving aboard the Constantine under Edward Wright, and discuss shipments aboard the Salley. The writer reports anticipated losses on animal skins damaged by worms and poor preparation, while describing plans for further exports of furs and wax. Tobacco and bills of exchange also appear in the correspondence.
The photographs show three written pages, including a shorter draft headed “To L W.” Contemporary cancellations, interlineations, and revisions preserve the writer’s composition process and suggest working drafts or retained correspondence. The longer letter concludes with flourished initials; the writer’s identity has not been established.
A richly detailed record of colonial Philadelphia commerce, appealing to collectors of early Pennsylvania manuscripts, maritime trade, the fur trade, and legal history.
Condition: Period folds, age toning, scattered spotting, small holes and splits at folds, and minor edge wear. Some writing is faint, but much of the text remains legible. Dimensions not supplied.
An extensive colonial mercantile manuscript containing draft correspondence concerning Philadelphia’s trade with Britain, overseas shipments, merchandise purchases, and difficulties surrounding a legal release.
The longer letter discusses a release placed in the hands of attorney Peter Evans, the need for witnesses and examination, and the expense and frustration of resolving the matter. The writer pointedly remarks that “Lawyers are not always the most Exact in Doing of Business.”
Commercial passages record detailed orders for men’s and boys’ hats, acknowledge goods arriving aboard the Constantine under Edward Wright, and discuss shipments aboard the Salley. The writer reports anticipated losses on animal skins damaged by worms and poor preparation, while describing plans for further exports of furs and wax. Tobacco and bills of exchange also appear in the correspondence.
The photographs show three written pages, including a shorter draft headed “To L W.” Contemporary cancellations, interlineations, and revisions preserve the writer’s composition process and suggest working drafts or retained correspondence. The longer letter concludes with flourished initials; the writer’s identity has not been established.
A richly detailed record of colonial Philadelphia commerce, appealing to collectors of early Pennsylvania manuscripts, maritime trade, the fur trade, and legal history.
Condition: Period folds, age toning, scattered spotting, small holes and splits at folds, and minor edge wear. Some writing is faint, but much of the text remains legible. Dimensions not supplied.
