![HANDWRITTEN LETTER (ALS) REGARDING STORM DAMAGE & REPAIRS TO THE SS "BENJAMIN RUSH," TO N. & W.W. BILLINGS, NEW LONDON [CT], DATELINED: BALTIMORE, 29 JAN 1828](https://d3525k1ryd2155.cloudfront.net/h/616/567/1286567616.0.m.jpg)
Baltimore, 1828. Original manuscript. Very Good. One page, quarto, integral address leaf. In part: "...the Benj Rush is undergoing repairs having returned from an intended voyage round Cape Horn. had been 12 days in a constant gale of wind. she is said to be in excellent condition, much better than she has been for 12 years...not near as bad as expected....It is the intention of her owners to load and prosecute her intended voyage & be ready to sail within three weeks, tho they would sell her for a fair price....[signed] Jon'a Rogers." Postmarked on address leaf, Baltimore Jan 29. [The home port of the SS Benjamin Rush was Warren, Rhode Island.] [N&WW Billings Company "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).].
Providence, Rhode Island, 1829. Original manuscript. Very Good. One page, quarto, integral address leaf, in sepia ink. In part: Mallett explains that a Mr. Westcott would deliver this letter as "...he has some business in your neighborhood & I desired him to ride over & see you. I have given some trade paper & some of my own which I would like to have discounted Our Banks are shorter than they ever were before & will not be easy again until the first of May. I have never before known such a scarcity of money....As I am not much known in your place your opinion would be serviceable....[signed] E.J. Mallett." [Bicknell's "History of the State of Rhode Island" describes E.J. Mallett as a Jackson Democrat, "of Huguenot stock and a North Carolinian by birth. Visiting Providence, he married the daughter of Governor James Fenner, in 1820, and engaged in shipping business here until 1829...." He went on to become president of St. Nicholas Bank in New York, Consul-General to Italy, and was appointed a paymaster by Lincoln in the Civil War. (See Bicknell, Vol. 2, p. 772).] [N&WW Billings Company "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)].
Philadelphia, 1829. Original manuscript. Very Good. One page, quarto, integral address leaf, in sepia ink. In part: "The 'Benjamin Rush' now undergoing repairs in Baltimore may possibly be such a ship as would suit you....We learn the owners want to sell her. She is one of our good Ships and if you wish I can give you all the particulars. She was built for Edward Thompson and sold when his difficulties obliged.... Market dull and nominally[?] as was last advised....[signed] Shober & Bunting." Wax seal opened roughly, no text loss. [The Shober Bunting Co. were Philadelphia dealers in spermacetti candle & lamp oil, as recorded in O'Brien's Philadelphia Wholesale Business Directory.] [N&WW Billings Company "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).].
Providence, Rhode Island, 1828. Original manuscript. Very Good. One page, quarto, integral address leaf, in sepia ink. In part: "...a sale of 10,000 galls W & Fall oil will take place here on Saturday next & if you wish to speculate, I think a good opportunity offers as the oil 'will be sold' [underlined]. All sales at retail for the present are suspended ....[signed] E.J. Mallett." Postmarked, Providence Jan 9. [Bicknell's "History of the State of Rhode Island" describes E.J. Mallett as a Jackson Democrat, "of Huguenot stock and a North Carolinian by birth. Visiting Providence, he married the daughter of Governor James Fenner, in 1820, and engaged in shipping business here until 1829...." He went on to become president of St. Nicholas Bank in New York, Consul-General to Italy, and was appointed a paymaster by Lincoln in the Civil War. (See Bicknell, Vol. 2, p. 772).] [N&WW Billings Company "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)].
![HANDWRITTEN LETTER (ALS), REGARDING SALE OF THE SHIP "CERES," ADDRESSED TO N & WW BILLINGS AT NEW LONDON, CONNECTICUT, DATELINED [NEW YORK], FEB. 22, 1828](https://d3525k1ryd2155.cloudfront.net/h/612/567/1286567612.0.m.jpg)
New York, 1828. Original manuscript. Very Good. One page, quarto, integral address leaf, in sepia ink. In part: "I did not rec yours by the Steam Boat till after she had left nor in time to see W. at the Exchange....I do not think he will take the 10,000$ tho I think it is a great price and now that she is north I will sound him....I have not seen M Williams but should not be surprised if he should buy the Ceres....Let me know the price __ paid for the Try Pots in New Bedford...find these with the Copper & Nails on board the Prudence. Will write you by Monday, Boat or Mail...[signed] Henry Cort." [N&WW Billings Company "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)].
![HANDWRITTEN LETTER (ALS) TO N. & W.W. BILLINGS, NEW LONDON [CT], REGARDING SPERM OIL CANDLES. DATELINED: SHIP "RUSSELL", NEW ORLEANS, 1st FEBRUARY 1828](https://d3525k1ryd2155.cloudfront.net/h/611/567/1286567611.0.m.jpg)
New Orleans, 1828. Original manuscript. Very Good. One page, quarto, integral address leaf. In part: "....It is seldom possible to sell an article for cash from the vessel without an immense sacrifice....this season even the supplies of even such standard articles as sperm oil and candles have been so large, that warehouses rarely had the good fortune to command prompt cash sales. We have sold 46 boxes of your sperm candles at 32 cts....You contemplate another shipment of sperm oil & candles to us....Your last 50 boxes candles were not very good. We took a box to use in our store & find them to give us poor light....[signed] Thomson & Grant." Thumb-size piece torn from integral address leaf, no loss of text. [N&WW Billings Company "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).].
London, England, 1828. Original manuscript. Very Good. One page, quarto, integral address leaf, in sepia ink. In part: "Having received Mr. S. Williams's second dividend of One Shilling in the Pound on the amount of your proof, I gladly authorise your Draft on me at the shortest sight for the Net proceeds....I would not encourage you to calculate on more than 6p or a Shilling from future dividends--and even that not soon.... [signed] Timothy Wiggin." [Timothy Wiggin's name turns up several times in Ralph Waldo Emerson's diary for 1833. Wiggin was Longfellow's London banker, and it has been conjectured that he served a like purpose for Emerson. Wiggin's bank was also active in the China Trade, etc.] [N&WW Billings Company "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)].
Philadelphia, 1829. Original manuscript. Very Good. 3pp, quarto, in sepia ink. In part: "...Should you be in want of a Ship of the class of the Old English John for a right whaler we hand you her Inventory....She is offered for $5000....The sperm oil in market now is generally inferior and 70 is the best it brings....Whale is selling at 35....Whale bone holds....[signed] Shober & Bunting." [Small piece torn from letter when clay seal was opened roughly, partial loss of one word.] An integral leaf lists the ship's inventory referred to above. "Inventory of Ship John 385 75/9574 Tons Register." The full-page list includes: "4 Top Sails, 3 Top gallant sails...1 Jib, 1 main stay sail...1 Spanker, 2 Bowen chains, 2 Top mast steering sails...2 Bower Anchors...2 Handspikes...2 water casks, 2 water butts...2 Steamers, 1 Gridiron, 1 Brass tell tale, 1 Cabin table & cloth, 1 Looking Glass...5 Wine Glasses, 2 Pitchers...2 Brass Candle sticks, 1 Medicine Chest...2 Bibles & 2 Testaments...1 Horn Lanthorn...1 Binnacle Lamp & Feeder...1 Tin Speaking Trumpet...1 Deepsea lead...1 Ships Bell. Ship coppered and copper fastened, her copper is now in very good order. She has had on board 1377 Bales New Orleans Cotton...688 Hhds of Maryland Tobacco...." [The Shober Bunting Co. were Philadelphia dealers in spermacetti candle & lamp oil, as recorded in O'Brien's Philadelphia Wholesale Business Directory.] [N&WW Billings Company "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).].
![HANDWRITTEN LETTER (ALS) REGARDING WHALING EQUIPMENT, WHERE TO PURCHASE, ETC., TO N. & W.W. BILLINGS, NEW LONDON [CT], DATELINED: NEW BEDFORD, 2 MO.11.1828](https://d3525k1ryd2155.cloudfront.net/h/606/567/1286567606.0.m.jpg)
New Bedford, Massachusetts, 1828. Original manuscript. Very Good. 1.25pp, octavo, integral address leaf. In part: "...There is no whale line* here at present. We have lately purchased what we wanted at Newport, Bristol & Warren [RI] for 18 to 20 cents. I have lately intended for 4000 fathoms to be delivered....There is a great plenty of Try pots** .... I expect good lines to be had a[t] Plymouth....[signed] Seth Russell." Postmarked on the address leaf, New Bedford, Feb 2. [*Whale line: a strong, three-strand manila rope, 6" diameter, used in whaling as a harpoon line or towline. **A Try pot is a large pot used to remove and render the oil from blubber.] [N&WW Billings Company "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).].
![HANDWRITTEN LETTER (ALS) TO N. & W.W. BILLINGS, NEW LONDON [CT], REGARDING SPERM OIL CANDLES. DATELINED: SHIP "ILLINOIS", NEW ORLEANS, 7th FEBRUARY 1828](https://d3525k1ryd2155.cloudfront.net/h/605/567/1286567605.0.m.jpg)
New Orleans, 1828. Original manuscript. Very Good. One page, quarto, integral address leaf. In part: "....We made the tour of all our grocers yesterday....deliver your 25 boxes Sperm Candles by the Talma....Today we drayed them to the purchasers, but had to take them all back and store them, on account of their being mostly short 6's a size that is remarkably unsaleable....The demand in our market is confined to long 4's_long 5's_and a very few long 6's....[signed] Thomson & Grant." Wax seal torn from integral address leaf, no loss of text. [N&WW Billings Company "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).].
Matakong, Guinea, 1845. Original manuscript. Very Good. 1.5pp, octavo, written in a neat hand on blue laid paper. Datelined "Matacong" [Matakong, Guinea], Dec. 15th, 1848. Addressed to Edward D. Kimball, Esq. head of the Salem family of maritime merchants, bankers, and textile industrialists. In part: "...I am very sorry to inform you that the Tam O Shanter is in such a very bad condition that I am afraid she will not be fit to come home unless there is a great deal of money laid out .... I have been up the Coast in her and disposed of part of her Cargo and the Remnant of Ruby Powder .... I have left my 2d mate at Sierra Leone he being sick but will come home in the [brig] Ohio .... My Chief mate has allso been sick ...." Implores Kimball to pay the second mate on his return, promises to "do all in my power to forward the voyage...," &c. Signed by Horace Tufts. Docketed as received from him to travel via the third voyage of the "Ohio" Employed in the Triangle Trade, Captain Tufts and his crew plied some of the most notorious slave-trading ports of coastal Africa. He was eventually involved in a lawsuit against the English government, claiming that his ship had been unlawfully detained on a baseless accusation that he was working as the master of a brig in the African slave trade.
Jamaica, NY: Long Island Rail Road, 1969. First Edition. Fine. Broadside, printed in green on yellow stock. Describes the trip aboard the ferry boat "Martha's Vineyard"; bus tour including Branford Trolley Museum, Yale University, Booth Memorial Park; dinner at Elk's Restaurant, Port Jefferson; train schedule; small photo of ferry boat; etc. One horizontal fold.
San Francisco: Dollar Steamship Line, 1927. First Edition. Softcover. Very Good. (24)pp; illustrations from photographs throughout. Bound in color-pictorial wrappers, 9" x 8" Embark from Los Angeles or San Francisco. Ports of call: Honolulu; Tokyo; Kobo; Kyoto; Shanghai; Peking; Canton; Macao; Manila; Singapore; Java; Ceylon; India; Egypt; Italy; France. The text contains an account of each country visited.
Philadelphia: Corinthian Yacht Club, 1945. First Edition. Hardcover. Very Good. 68pp; frontispiece of yacht flags in color. Bound in blue cloth, printed in red. 6.5" x 4.5" Lists officers, members, standing committees, by-laws, member yachts and star boats, etc.
Sharon, MA: Kendall Whaling Museum, 1985. First Edition. Hardcover. Fine. pp: xv, 157. Bound in gray cloth, black lettering on spine and cover, endpaper maps. 10.25" x 6.75" Contains 893 annotated entries on 19th-century historical, literary and artistic material relating to whaling in the Pacific Ocean.
Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 1994. First Edition. Hardcover. Fine/Fine. pp: xi, 414, index; frontispiece of two illus in color. Bound in blue cloth, silver lettering on spine, pictorial dust wrapper. 11.25" x 8.75" Contains full and annotated entries for approximately 1,000 printed books and 1,000 manuscripts.
New Castle, Delaware: Oak Knoll Press, 2016. First Edition. Hardcover. Fine/Fine. pp: xiii, (i), 481 with indices of illustrators and subjects; 16pp illustrations in full-color, frontispiece and text vignettes in black and white. Bound in blue cloth, gilt lettering on spine, pictorial dust wrapper. 11.25" x 8.5" Includes some 3,200 novels, novellas, and short stories set aboard steamships, published in the English language.
Bedford Park, Chiswick: Caradoc Press, 1905. Limited Edition. Hardcover. Fine. pp: (ix), 155, colophon; frontispiece portrait, etched half-title, text illustrations and music; rubricated title-page, running heads and marginal captions, rubricated colophon. Expertly and attractively bound in half red morocco and marbled boards, top edges gilt. 9" x 5.75" This is #194 of 350 copies on paper, from the first edition of 1653. Frontispiece etching of Izaak Walton by H. George Webb, signed in pencil by the artist.
1864. Original manuscript. Very Good. Written in sepia ink in a readable hand. Datelined, New York, Octobr. 19, 1864. "Shonner [sic] Jamestown, Capt & Owners Dbt. You P. Reade. You loading said Shonner ... 1304 Brls of Beef ... $65.20 ... 360 Boxes of Soap ... $9.00 ... 367 Barls of Beans ... $18.35 ..." &c., &c. Signed, Patrick Reade. Receipted total of $121.42. Written on lined paper, 5" x 7"
Washington DC: Committee on Rivers and Harbors, 1899. First Edition. Softcover. Very Good. 7pp. Neatly removed from a nonce volume, and spine reinforced with archival paper. 9" x 5.75"
