Letter from D. Grandjean to Veuve... (1861)

NRA-L-000086 / 1861

Letter from D. Grandjean to Veuve Pernod & fils offering Prussian spirits, October 10, 1861

D. Grandjean offers Veuve Pernod & fils German or Prussian spirits at 91–92 degrees following a forced sale by the Marseille house Lafon & Labatut and asks for a prompt telegraphic order.

Neruda Archives
NRA-L-000086

NRA-L-000086 image 1 showing the folded address panel to Veuve Pernod et fils in Couvet with Geneva postal marks, red rate notation, seals and an irregular lower-left paper loss. — **Image 1**Address panel and postal evidence.

NRA-L-000086 image 2 showing a French manuscript commercial letter dated at Geneva with spirit prices, a 500-litre reference, signature and an irregular lower-left paper loss. — **Image 2**Letter text and signature.

Archive Record

Identifier: NRA-L-000086
Date: 1861-10-10
Original date: Genève 10 8bre 1861
Type: Commercial correspondence
Language: French / fr
Sender: D. Grandjean
Recipient: Veuve Pernod & fils
Places: Geneva, Switzerland / Couvet, Switzerland
Extent: 2 documentary sides: Address panel and postal evidence; Letter text concerning spirit shipments and signature; 2 digital images.
Signature: D. Grandjean
Citation: Neruda Archives, NRA-L-000086.

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Transcript and English translation

working scholarly aid

Address panel and postal evidence

Original transcript

Messieurs
Vve Pernod & fils
Couvet
canton de Neuchatel

Notes

Postal marks:
GENEVE 10 OCTO 61 4 S
[Red crayon mark]

Later annotations:
Genève 10 Octobre 1861.
DGrandjean
Rep 6

Address panel and postal evidence

English translation

Messieurs
Widow Pernod & Sons
Couvet
canton of Neuchâtel

Notes

Postal marks:
GENEVE 10 OCTO 61 4 S
[Red crayon mark]

Later annotations:
Geneva 10 October 1861.
DGrandjean
Answered 6

Letter text concerning spirit shipments and signature

Original transcript

Messieurs Vve Pernod & fils
Couvet
Genève 10 8bre 1861
Les 3/6 Allemands sont maintenant à très-bas
prix ainsi que v le verrez par la circulaire incluse
Ma Maison de Marseille, Mrs Lafon & Labatut
ayant acheté à bas prix par suite d'une vente forcée,
je puis v offrir pour elle :
3/6 Prussien bon goût presque blancs à fr 72 -
"       "       "       un peu coloré   "  71 -
l'hectolitre franco sur camion à Marseille
comptant sans esc - Fûts d'environ 500 litres bien conditionnés
esprit à 91-92 Degrès facturé tel quel.
Mon engagement est trop court pour que je puisse v le
transmettre, mais avec une prompte demande télégraphique
v trouverez sans doute la marchandise encore disponible.
V devou
DGrandjean

Notes

Editorial notes:
The abbreviation 'v' is used throughout the letter for 'vous'.
'3/6' refers to 'trois-six', a highly concentrated alcohol (typically 84% ABV) used as a base for spirits like absinthe.

Letter text concerning spirit shipments and signature

English translation

Messieurs Widow Pernod & Sons
Couvet
Geneva 10 October 1861
The German 3/6 [spirits] are now at a very low price as you will see by the enclosed circular.
My House in Marseille, Messrs Lafon & Labatut, having bought at a low price following a forced sale, I can offer you for them:
Prussian 3/6 good taste almost white at fr 72 -
" " " slightly colored " 71 -
per hectoliter free on truck in Marseille
cash without discount - Barrels of about 500 liters well conditioned
spirit at 91-92 Degrees invoiced as is.
My option is too short for me to be able to transmit it to you, but with a prompt telegraphic request you will doubtless find the merchandise still available.
Yours truly
DGrandjean

Notes

Editorial notes:
The abbreviation 'v' is used throughout the letter for 'vous'.
'3/6' refers to 'trois-six', a highly concentrated alcohol (typically 84% ABV) used as a base for spirits like absinthe.

Discovery Terms

Spirits trade
Prussian spirits
Commercial correspondence
Forced sale
Pernod
Geneva
Couvet
Marseille

Transcriptions and English translations are provided as working scholarly aids, not as replacements for the images of the original documents. Some readings may remain uncertain, especially where handwriting, spelling, damage, abbreviations, names or places are difficult.

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