{"product_id":"1835-bordeaux-brandy-shipment-to-philadelphia-merchant-john-d-laffitte-wax-seal","title":"1835 Bordeaux Brandy Shipment to Philadelphia Merchant John D. Laffitte—Wax Seal","description":"\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eAn original French commercial invoice documenting a substantial shipment of \u003cstrong\u003eBordeaux eau-de-vie, or brandy, to Philadelphia merchant John D. Laffitte\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrepared at Bordeaux on March 5, 1835, the invoice covers \u003cstrong\u003e10 half-pipes and 20 quarter-pipes of third-proof eau-de-vie\u003c\/strong\u003e—30 commercial casks equivalent to approximately ten full Bordeaux pipes. Its ruled cargo table records shipping marks, cask sizes, gross and net weights, leakage allowances, charges and commissions, with a total value of approximately \u003cstrong\u003e4,423 francs\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe document was folded to serve as its own transatlantic mailing cover and addressed:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMonsieur John D. Laffitte\u003cbr\u003enégociant\u003cbr\u003eà Philadelphie\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe exterior directs it by the ship \u003cem\u003eConcorde\u003c\/em\u003e, Captain Mason. A substantial original red wax seal remains attached. The manuscript also carries a French fiscal notation indicating payment of the applicable stamp duty.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe recipient, \u003cstrong\u003eJohn D. Laffitte\u003c\/strong\u003e, was evidently engaged in the nineteenth-century Bordeaux–American wine and spirits trade. His surname resembles that associated with \u003cstrong\u003eChâteau Lafitte\u003c\/strong\u003e, the Camblanes-et-Meynac estate named for Bordeaux wine merchant Raymond Lafitte, and with \u003cstrong\u003eChâteau Lafite\u003c\/strong\u003e, later Château Lafite Rothschild. However, no direct family, ownership or commercial connection between John D. Laffitte and either wine estate has presently been established. The shipment described here consists of Bordeaux brandy and does not identify a particular château or vineyard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn evocative survivor of the thriving nineteenth-century commerce that carried Bordeaux wines and spirits across the Atlantic to American merchants. Its detailed cargo accounting, Philadelphia destination, maritime address panel and surviving wax seal provide considerable historical and visual interest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e March 5, 1835\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bordeaux, France\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDestination:\u003c\/strong\u003e Philadelphia, Pennsylvania\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecipient:\u003c\/strong\u003e John D. Laffitte, merchant\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCargo:\u003c\/strong\u003e Thirty casks of third-proof Bordeaux eau-de-vie\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShip:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eConcorde\u003c\/em\u003e, Captain Mason\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/strong\u003e French\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeatures:\u003c\/strong\u003e Detailed cargo table, merchant signatures, fiscal notation and original red wax seal\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Considerable edge losses and tears, original mailing folds, creasing and toning. Portions of the writing and cargo table are affected, but the principal content, address panel and wax seal survive. Please examine the photographs carefully.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Signature Documents LLC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52734419501338,"sku":null,"price":395.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2221\/0931\/files\/IMG_2405.jpg?v=1787498177","url":"https:\/\/www.thearchiveauthority.com\/products\/1835-bordeaux-brandy-shipment-to-philadelphia-merchant-john-d-laffitte-wax-seal","provider":"Signature Documents LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}