UNITED STATES STAMPLESS LETTER SOMMERSWORTH NH PROVIDENCE RI F934

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Condition

Unused

Stamp Format

Single

Item Description

Condition: See 20,000+ Exceptional listings in my store! Watch my items for discounts and add me as a favorite ... Read more about the seller notes See 20,000+ Exceptional listings in my store! Watch my items for discounts and add me as a favorite seller for a great newsletter! Read Less about the seller notes

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This is an excellent example of a business solicitation letter from the heart of the American Industrial Revolution in New England. It is a stampless folded letter sent from a specialized craftsman in Providence, Rhode Island, to the agent of a major textile mill in Somersworth, New Hampshire.Postal HistoryOrigin: Providence, Rhode IslandDestination: Somersworth, New HampshireDate: The sender dated the letter October 18, 1836. It was postmarked at the Providence post office the next day.Postmark: A clear circular datestamp (CDS) in red ink reads "PROVIDENCE / R.I." around the circle, with "OCT / 19" in the center.Postage Rate: The applicable rate under the 1825 Postal Act was 12 ½ cents for a single sheet letter traveling between 80 and 150 miles. The distance between Providence and Somersworth falls within this range. The rate was paid by the recipient upon delivery, as was common for the period.Markings: The prominent red ink flourish over the addressee's name is not a postal marking but rather a decorative embellishment by the sender, Arnold W. Williams, whose signature shows a similar style.Transcription of the LetterR W Isreal Esqr Sommersworth N. H.I feel inclined to solicit and give my time for doing all your work in Making and Repairing your Reeds and Harnesses on the Best kind of Changes I have been embracing this branch of business and intend to do as good work as any one and on as low terms. I have frequently looked through your establishment with Pleasure of late thinking and should get countenance if you think to come object, will make new Reeds of all kinds for a machine made in your Mill for 22 cts per beer Delivered in Boston free of Charge with the usual Time and Repairs in proportion.Respectfully Yours Arnold W WilliamsProvidence 18 Oct 1836Summary and ContextArnold W. Williams, a craftsman in Providence, is writing to R. W. Israel, the agent for a mill in Somersworth. Williams specializes in making and repairing key components of textile looms:Reeds: These are comb-like devices used on a loom to separate the warp threads and beat the weft thread into place.Harnesses: These are frames that hold the heddles, which raise and lower the warp threads to create the "shed" through which the shuttle passes.Williams is soliciting all of Mr. Israel's business, promising high-quality work at low prices. He makes a specific offer to manufacture new reeds for a machine in Israel's mill at a price of "22 cts per beer."A "beer" (also spelled bere or bear) was a specific unit of measure in the textile trade, referring to a group of 40 warp threads. The price was therefore set by the density of threads in the reed. Williams adds that he will deliver the finished products to Boston free of charge, highlighting Boston's role as the central commercial hub for the surrounding industrial towns.Biographical InformationRecipient: Richard W. Israel (R. W. Israel) was a prominent figure in the New England textile industry. He was the Agent (superintendent) of the Great Falls Manufacturing Company in Somersworth, New Hampshire, one of the largest textile corporations in the region, established in 1823. His position meant he was responsible for the entire operation of the mills, including sourcing machinery and parts, making him the direct target for this kind of business proposal.Sender: Arnold W. Williams was a specialized artisan in Providence, Rhode Island, another major center of industry. City directories from the period confirm his profession. For example, the 1838-39 Providence directory lists "Williams Arnold W., reed manufacturer, 27 Broad." This letter is a direct example of how these smaller, specialized craftsmen supported the massive textile factories that defined the era.SEE MY 20,000+ EXCEPTIONAL LISTINGS IN MY STORE! WATCH MY ITEMS USING YOUR WATCH-LIST FOR SPECIAL DISCOUNTS AND ADD ME AS A FAVORITE SELLER FOR A GREAT NEWSLETTER!Attention Sellers - Get TemplatesImage Hosting, Scheduling at Auctiva.com. Track Page Views WithAuctiva's FREE Counter

Seller Information

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bluemule22 (20489)

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04/19/2013

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SuperiorStamps

Item Location

Minnesota, United States

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Worldwide

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No