NRA-L-000136 / 1873

Market report from Reynaud Frères to H. & F. Duval concerning trois-six alcohol, brandy and piquette, October 14, 1873

Reynaud Frères report current Lunel market prices for trois-six alcohol and good-quality brandy, state that their stock at 99 francs is sold and anticipate that the remaining distillers will soon stop once the piquette has been distilled.

Neruda Archives
NRA-L-000136

NRA-L-000136 image 1 showing a folded graph-paper address panel to J. J. Duval in Pontarlier, with a postage stamp, several postal marks, receiver docketing, folds and a large physical loss at the left edge.
Image 1Address panel and postal evidence.
NRA-L-000136 image 2 showing a handwritten commercial letter on Reynaud frères wines and spirits letterhead from Lunel, with dated heading, signature, postal impressions, folds and a lower-edge loss.
Image 2Letter text on Reynaud frères letterhead and signature.

Transcript and English translation

working scholarly aid

Documentary page 1

Original transcript

Messieurs
H. & F. Duval
Négts
Pontarlier

Notes

Postal marks:
[Blue oval stamp: VINS & SPIRITUEUX / REYNAUD FRERES / A LUNEL]
[Circular date stamp: LUNEL / 25 / 14 / OCT / 73 / (34)]
[Postage stamp: 25c blue Ceres, cancelled with numeral lozenge]
[Circular date stamp: TARASCON / 14 / OCT / 73 / (13)]
[Circular date stamp: DIJON / 2E 15 / OCT / 73 / (21)]
[Circular date stamp: MARSEILLE A LYON / 14 / OCT / 73]
[Circular date stamp: PONTARLIER / 1E 16 / OCT / 73 / (25)]

Later annotations:
Lunel 14 Oct. 1873

Reynaud freres

R le 16 dit

24 Devie

Editorial notes:
The annotation '24 Devie' likely refers to '24 [pièces] d'eau de vie' (24 barrels of brandy), corresponding to the contents discussed in the letter.

Documentary page 1

English translation

Messrs H. & F. Duval
Merchants
Pontarlier

Notes

Postal marks:
[Blue oval stamp: VINS & SPIRITUEUX / REYNAUD FRERES / A LUNEL]
[Circular date stamp: LUNEL / 25 / 14 / OCT / 73 / (34)]
[Postage stamp: 25c blue Ceres, cancelled with numeral lozenge]
[Circular date stamp: TARASCON / 14 / OCT / 73 / (13)]
[Circular date stamp: DIJON / 2E 15 / OCT / 73 / (21)]
[Circular date stamp: MARSEILLE A LYON / 14 / OCT / 73]
[Circular date stamp: PONTARLIER / 1E 16 / OCT / 73 / (25)]

Later annotations:
Lunel 14 Oct. 1873

Reynaud freres

Received the 16th of the same

24 Devie

Editorial notes:
The annotation '24 Devie' likely refers to '24 [pièces] d'eau de vie' (24 barrels of brandy), corresponding to the contents discussed in the letter.

Documentary page 2

Original transcript

VINS & SPIRITUEUX
REYNAUD FRÈRES
LUNEL

Lunel, le 14 8bre 1873

Messieurs H. & F. Duval à Pontarlier

Nous avons l'honneur de vous confirmer notre lettre du 7 ct.
Au marché de ce jour, le cours du 3/6 bon goût a été fixé à 99 francs
pour 40 pièces.
Nos 3/6 à 99 francs sont vendus.
Eau-de-vie bon goût, 85 francs.
Nous croyons que les quelques distillateurs qui travaillent cesseront
bientôt ; les piquettes seront vite brûlées.

Bien à vos ordres.
Veuillez agréer, Messieurs, nos salutations cordiales.
Reynaud frères

Notes

Editorial notes:
The term '3/6' refers to a specific strength of alcohol (Trois-Six), commonly traded in the 19th century.
'piquettes' refers to a low-quality wine made from grape pomace, which was often distilled ('brulées') to make cheap spirits.

Documentary page 2

English translation

WINES & SPIRITS
REYNAUD FRÈRES
LUNEL

Lunel, 14 October 1873

Messrs H. & F. Duval, Pontarlier

We have the honour to confirm our letter of the 7th instant.
At today's market, the price of good-quality trois-six alcohol was fixed at 99 francs for 40 pièces. Our trois-six offered at 99 francs has been sold. Good-quality brandy is 85 francs.
We believe that the few distillers still working will soon stop; the piquette will quickly have been distilled.

At your service.
Please accept, Gentlemen, our cordial greetings.
Reynaud Frères

Notes

Editorial notes:
The term '3/6' refers to a specific strength of alcohol (Trois-Six), commonly traded in the 19th century.
'piquettes' refers to a low-quality wine made from grape pomace, which was often distilled ('brulées') to make cheap spirits.

Discovery Terms

  • Alcohol trade
  • Trois-six alcohol
  • Brandy
  • Piquette
  • Market prices
  • Distillation
  • Reynaud Frères
  • H. & F. Duval
  • Lunel
  • Pontarlier