[Rarebooks] FS: Letter from Whale Fishery at Rio, 1839

[Bob Petrilla]

Wright, Maxwell. MANUSCRIPT: DISBURSEMENTS OF SHIP FLORA, CAPT. DANIEL
FITCH, FROM THE WHALE FISHERY AT RIO DE jANEIRO, 23 FEBRUARY 1839. Original
manuscript. One page, quarto, about 18 lines, readable hand, sepia ink;
original folds, sliver of paper worn from left margin, right margin fished
with slight loss. Entries cover the goods purchased, weights, prices,
porterage charges, &c. at Rio de Janeiro. For example: bread, coffee, black
beans, sugar, duties on stores, boat hire, Consuls account, boarding
officer, butcher's account, guard attending discharge of bone, &c. Signed
with a flourish by Maxell Wright. 10.75" x 8.5" with integral blank leaf.
Good.
The Ship "Flora" out of New London, Connecticut, was owned by N & WW
Billings. "Billings was established in 1823 and ceased operations in 1851.
During this period the company managed at least twelve whaling vessels
which, by the end of business, had made it one of the most successful
whaling agencies in New London....In addition, the company operated a soap
and candle making business that used oil and spermaceti, etc. taken by
their whale ships" [from Mystic Seaport records].  $90.00

Trade discount, postpaid in US, abroad at cost



    *  R & A  Petrilla*



*          Antiquarian Booksellers                     PO Box 306
   Roosevelt, NJ 08555                   (609) 426-4999
<%28609%29%20426-4999>*

*      Member:  ABAA, ILAB, IOBA*