HANDWRITTEN LETTER (ALS), ABOUT A SHIP'S REPAIRS AND POTENTIAL SALE, ADDRESSED TO N & WW BILLINGS AT NEW LONDON, CONNECTICUT, DATELINED PHILADELPHIA, JAN 18, 1828 de Shober & Bunting Co - 1829

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).].