NRA-L-000123 / 1831

Francis Renevier: New York wine and spirits price current enclosed with a commission letter to Roulet père & fils in Beaune, June 30–July 1, 1831

Francis Renevier offers Roulet père & fils commission representation for French wines and spirits in New York and encloses a detailed market price current covering wines, brandies, duties and exchange rates, including an exceptionally early printed New York quotation for “Absinthe of Couvet” at 10–11 dollars per dozen.

Neruda Archives
NRA-L-000123

NRA-L-000123 image 1 showing the folded address panel to Roulet père & fils in Beaune with Le Havre and overseas postal marks, manuscript rate, receiver docketing and seal remnant.
Image 1Address panel and transatlantic postal evidence.
NRA-L-000123 image 2 showing Francis Renevier's handwritten commission letter from New York to Roulet père & fils in Beaune, dated 1 July 1831, with signature, folds, seal remnant and a paper loss.
Image 2Letter text and signature.
NRA-L-000123 image 3 showing the printed Prices Current of Francis Renevier, New York, 30 June 1831, with wine and spirits quotations, market remarks, duties and exchange rates, including Absinthe of Couvet.
Image 3Enclosure - Francis Renevier price current.

Transcript and English translation

working scholarly aid

Address panel and transatlantic postal evidence

Original transcript

Messieurs
Roulet père & fils
Beaune
Côte d'Or

Notes

Postal marks:
PAYS D'OUTREMER
LE HAVRE / 18 / AOUT / 1831 / (74)
19 [manuscript postal charge, probable]
22 / [partial arrival mark]

Later annotations:
NEW YORK 1831 [modern pencil note]

1831
New-York 1er Juillet
F. Renevier
R. 22 août

Address panel and transatlantic postal evidence

English translation

Messrs
Roulet père & fils
Beaune
Côte-d'Or

Notes

Postal marks:
PAYS D'OUTREMER
LE HAVRE / 18 / AOUT / 1831 / (74)
19 [manuscript postal charge, probable]
22 / [partial arrival mark]

Later annotations:
NEW YORK 1831 [modern pencil note]

1831
New York, 1 July
F. Renevier
Received 22 August

Francis Renevier commission letter, 1 July 1831

Original transcript

New-York le 1 Juillet 1831
Messieurs Roulet père & fils à Beaune

Je prends la liberté de venir vous offrir mes services
pour la vente de vos produits sur cette place ou dans ces contrées.
Mon commerce étant exclusivement la commission des vins et spiritueux
de France, je puis à cet égard vous offrir de grands avantages, ayant une
clientelle formée & une parfaite connaissance de ce pays.
Veuillez, je vous prie, disposer de mon ministère, vous promettant d'avance
tous mes soins pour vos intérêts ainsi que la plus stricte économie
des frais, avec l'offre des avances d'usage à l'arrivée ici de vos
[envois, fin du mot perdue dans la lacune], si cela vous est agréable.
Mes correspondans au Havre sont : Messrs De la Touche, [texte perdu dans la lacune]
Delessert & Cie ; à Marseille Messrs Motte Fremery & Cie qui se chargeront
de la réception et reexpédition de vos envois ainsi que des frais pour mon
compte.
D'autre part mon prix-courant auquel je me réfère.
En attendant de vos nouvelles j'ai l'honneur, Messieurs, de
vous saluer.
Fs Renevier

Francis Renevier commission letter, 1 July 1831

English translation

New York, 1 July 1831
Messrs Roulet père & fils in Beaune

I take the liberty of offering you my services for the sale of your products in this market or in these regions.
My business consists exclusively in the commission sale of wines and spirits from France. In this respect I can offer you considerable advantages, having an established clientele and a thorough knowledge of this country.
Please make use of my agency. I promise in advance every care for your interests and the strictest economy in expenses, together with the customary advances upon the arrival here of your shipments, should that be agreeable to you.
My correspondents in Le Havre are Messrs De la Touche, [text lost in the paper gap], and Delessert & Co.; in Marseille, Messrs Motte Fremery & Co. They will take charge of receiving and forwarding your consignments, as well as the expenses, for my account.
On the other side is my price current, to which I refer.
While awaiting news from you, I have the honour, Gentlemen, to salute you.
Fs Renevier

Enclosed Francis Renevier price current, 30 June 1831

Original transcript

PRICES CURRENT
OF FRANCIS RENEVIER,
New York, 30th June 1831.

Wines in bottles, per dozen.

BORDEAUX.
RED.
Lafitte, $15–18
Chateau Margeaux, $15–18
Latour, $10–15
Leoville, $9–11
Mouton, $8–10
Larose, $7–9
St. Julien, $6–8
St. Estephe, $5–6
St. Emellion, $4–5
WHITE.
Barsac, $8–10
Sauternes, $6–8
Grave, $4–6

COTES DU RHONE.
RED.
Hermitage, $8–11
Cote Rotie, $8–11
Croze, $6–7
Cornas, $5–6
St. Joseph, $5–[no upper price printed]
Tavel, $4.50–5
Chateau-neuf, $4.50–5
St. Georges, $3.50–4.50
Roussillon, $3.50–4.50
La Nerthe, $3.50–4.50
WHITE.
Hermitage, $7.50–10
Malmsey, $12–15
Cotillon, $5–6
Chauteau Grille, $5–6
Condrieux, $5–6
St. Peray, $6–7

MUSCATS.
Rivesaltes, $6–8
Lunel, $4.50–5
Frontignan, $4–4.50

BURGUNDY.
RED.
Clos Vougeot, $15–16
Chambertin, $15–16
Nuits St. Georges, $10–12
Romanee, $10–12
Richebourg, $10–12
Tache, $10–12
Pomard, $8–10
Volney, $7–9
WHITE.
Chabli, $6–10
Meursault, [no price printed]
Sparkling, $9–12

CHAMPAIGNE.
Sillery, $12–14
Cremant, $12–14
Ai, $10–12
Rose, [price obscured by the fold]

ORDINARY.
Marseille Claret, $2.50–3
Marseille Muscats, $3.25–3.50
Marseille St. Georges, $3.25–3.50
Bordeaux Claret, $3.50–4

CASKS, HALF CASKS.
Red Wine of Bordeaux, cask, $30–35
White Wine of Bordeaux, cask, $32–36
Red Wine of Marseilles, cask, $27–28
White Wine of Marseilles, cask, $27–28
Rousillon, gallon, $0.50–0.55
Sherry, gallon, $0.52½–0.55
Madeira, gallon, $0.50–0.55

SPIRITS.
Brandy, Otard, Dupuy & Co., gallon, $1.62½–1.75
Brandy, Louis Pierre, gallon, $1.50–1.62
Brandy, Rochelle, gallon, $1.50–1.62
Brandy, Bordeaux, gallon, $1.40–1.50
Brandy, Languedoc, gallon, $1.55–[no upper price printed]
Cordials, dozen, $5–10
Anisette, basket, $1.40–1.50
Absinthe of Couvet, dozen, $10–11
Kirchenwasser, dozen, $10–11

DUTY.
Wines in bottles, 30 cts. gallon and $2 gross for Glass.
Wines in casks:
Red, 10 cents gallon
White, 15 do. do.
Brandy, 4th proof, 63 do. do.
60 Gallons—30 Veltes.
1 Dollar—100 Cents.

EXCHANGE.
London, 60 days sight, 9–9¼
Paris, 60 days sight, 5.15–5.20
Boston, [no rate printed]
Philadelphia, ¼
Baltimore, ½
Charleston, ½–1
New-Orleans, ½–1

REMARKS.
Les vins de Bordeaux en bouteilles et caisses de 1 douze. se placent avec facilité, surtout dans les prix ordinaires de $4 à 6 ; le navire français la Gabrielle arrivé ce mois de Bordeaux en a apporté une forte provision, partie est déjà écoulée. Ceux en barriques sont plus-recherchés et l'approvisionnement en est très-faible.

Les vins des Cotes du Rhone manquent, à l'exception de 4 à 500 douzaines Hermitage blanc en mes mains et quelques autres petites parties Hermitage blanc, rouge et cote-rotie sur place mais très-ordinaires, une quantité majeure, rouge, bon ordinaire de $4.50 à 5, trouverait des amateurs ainsi qu'en barriques de $35 à 40.

Les vins de Bourgogne sont demandés, nous manquons entièrement d'assortiment ; une assez forte partie, rouge et jeune dans les prix de $6 à 8 se vendrait promptement cette sorte est très-goutée dans ce pays. Les vins mousseux sont toujours d'une vente facile.

Les Champagnes sont très-courants l'on en a beaucoup vendu ce mois en vente privée ainsi que 4 à 500 dz. à l'enchère de $9 à 10.50, les bons choix se placent aux prix notés.

Les vins ordinaires de Marseilles, et Bordeaux en bouteilles ou barriques sont toujours très-vendables, même en général au debarquement, vu la grande consommation par leurs faibles prix.

Les eaux-de-vie sont en baisse vu la quantité arrivée et attendue chaque jour ; le débouche en étant considerable dans ces contrées, il n'est pas probable qu'elles subissent une plus forte diminution sur ces prix.

Enclosed Francis Renevier price current, 30 June 1831

English translation

PRICES CURRENT
OF FRANCIS RENEVIER,
New York, 30th June 1831.

Wines in bottles, per dozen.

BORDEAUX.
RED.
Lafitte, $15–18
Chateau Margeaux, $15–18
Latour, $10–15
Leoville, $9–11
Mouton, $8–10
Larose, $7–9
St. Julien, $6–8
St. Estephe, $5–6
St. Emellion, $4–5
WHITE.
Barsac, $8–10
Sauternes, $6–8
Grave, $4–6

COTES DU RHONE.
RED.
Hermitage, $8–11
Cote Rotie, $8–11
Croze, $6–7
Cornas, $5–6
St. Joseph, $5–[no upper price printed]
Tavel, $4.50–5
Chateau-neuf, $4.50–5
St. Georges, $3.50–4.50
Roussillon, $3.50–4.50
La Nerthe, $3.50–4.50
WHITE.
Hermitage, $7.50–10
Malmsey, $12–15
Cotillon, $5–6
Chauteau Grille, $5–6
Condrieux, $5–6
St. Peray, $6–7

MUSCATS.
Rivesaltes, $6–8
Lunel, $4.50–5
Frontignan, $4–4.50

BURGUNDY.
RED.
Clos Vougeot, $15–16
Chambertin, $15–16
Nuits St. Georges, $10–12
Romanee, $10–12
Richebourg, $10–12
Tache, $10–12
Pomard, $8–10
Volney, $7–9
WHITE.
Chabli, $6–10
Meursault, [no price printed]
Sparkling, $9–12

CHAMPAIGNE.
Sillery, $12–14
Cremant, $12–14
Ai, $10–12
Rose, [price obscured by the fold]

ORDINARY.
Marseille Claret, $2.50–3
Marseille Muscats, $3.25–3.50
Marseille St. Georges, $3.25–3.50
Bordeaux Claret, $3.50–4

CASKS, HALF CASKS.
Red Wine of Bordeaux, cask, $30–35
White Wine of Bordeaux, cask, $32–36
Red Wine of Marseilles, cask, $27–28
White Wine of Marseilles, cask, $27–28
Rousillon, gallon, $0.50–0.55
Sherry, gallon, $0.52½–0.55
Madeira, gallon, $0.50–0.55

SPIRITS.
Brandy, Otard, Dupuy & Co., gallon, $1.62½–1.75
Brandy, Louis Pierre, gallon, $1.50–1.62
Brandy, Rochelle, gallon, $1.50–1.62
Brandy, Bordeaux, gallon, $1.40–1.50
Brandy, Languedoc, gallon, $1.55–[no upper price printed]
Cordials, dozen, $5–10
Anisette, basket, $1.40–1.50
Absinthe of Couvet, dozen, $10–11
Kirchenwasser, dozen, $10–11

DUTY.
Wines in bottles, 30 cents per gallon and $2 gross for glass.
Wines in casks:
Red, 10 cents per gallon
White, 15 cents per gallon
Brandy, fourth proof, 63 cents per gallon
60 gallons—30 veltes.
1 dollar—100 cents.

EXCHANGE.
London, 60 days sight, 9–9¼
Paris, 60 days sight, 5.15–5.20
Boston, [no rate printed]
Philadelphia, ¼
Baltimore, ½
Charleston, ½–1
New Orleans, ½–1

REMARKS.
Bordeaux wines in bottles and one-dozen cases sell readily, especially the ordinary wines priced at $4–6. The French ship Gabrielle arrived from Bordeaux this month with a large supply, part of which has already been sold. Wines in casks are in greater demand and the supply is very low.

Wines from the Côtes du Rhône are scarce, except for 400–500 dozen bottles of white Hermitage in my hands and a few other small lots of white and red Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie on the market, but of very ordinary quality. A larger quantity of good ordinary red at $4.50–5 would find buyers, as would wine in casks at $35–40.

Burgundy wines are in demand and we are entirely without an assortment. A fairly large shipment of young red wine priced at $6–8 would sell promptly, since this kind is very well liked in this country. Sparkling wines always sell readily.

Champagnes are very active. A great deal was sold privately this month, and 400–500 dozen were also sold at auction at $9–10.50. Good selections sell at the prices quoted.

Ordinary wines from Marseille and Bordeaux, in bottles or casks, are always very saleable, generally even as they are landed, because their low prices produce high consumption.

Brandies are declining in price because of the quantity that has arrived and is expected each day. Since the market for them in these regions is considerable, it is unlikely that they will undergo a further substantial decline from these prices.

Discovery Terms

  • Absinthe
  • Absinthe of Couvet
  • Wine trade
  • Spirits
  • Price currents
  • Market prices
  • Commission trade
  • Transatlantic commerce
  • Postal history
  • Francis Renevier
  • Roulet père & fils
  • New York
  • Beaune
  • Couvet