NRA-L-000685 / 1851
Moisè Vita Levi to Samuele Finzi, 1851-08-03
A commercial letter about a leather sale, delivery and payment terms, with market quotations and a draft reply.
Neruda Archives
NRA-L-000685
Transcript and English translation
working scholarly aid
Incoming letter, page 1 — Image 2
Original transcript
Ferrara Sam.le B.to Finzi d.o Magrini
Ferrara[?] 3 Agosto 1851
Soltanto colla posta d'jeri sera ricevei la stimat.ma 30 cad.o, mi portata
costà il 1.o Corr.e e qualunque sia la Vs opinione per Corami è mio Dovere
di rispettarla, come d'altronde le Vs poste qui sulla faccia di luogo vedreste
quanta fatica abbiano questi professori per venderne la roba buona delli
[segno monetario]16½ @ 17 con m/12 d'aspiro. In mezzo a tutto q.to ed stante
alle mie pratiche potei con gran stento persuadere il d.o Casso, Slanzi[?]
e Ca prend.e li Pezzi 200 Corame di Pelli nostrani di Vs fabbrica metà
alla Piana e metà a Rotolo del peso di [segno/unità]25 @ 26 ferd.o; ma q.to avendo
fatto i più esatti Conteggi essi non ponno pagarvelo niente più di
Nap.ni d'arg.to di f. 5 N.o 17¾ allo [segno] ferd.o sciolto franco in Barca al Ponte
p' Spedirsi entro all'int.o mese con prima Occasione di Barca p' Ancona,
e pagam.to p' Bologna a m/6 dalla Sped.ne nella Sud.a [d.ta?] ovvero entro il maggio
pross.o ai 16 fino. Vi giuro sul mio onore che ho dovuto molto, ma
molto faticare p' persuaderli a farmi q.to progetto al quale stanno im-
[aggiunta interlineare: e detti intesi, ed irrevocabile loro]
pegnati fino a rivolta di Corriere e p' cui procurate che non succeda
ritardo alla Vs lett.a come successe all'altra, altrimenti sarebbero fuori di
Contratto. Per la qualità li assicurai che sarà Scelta, e ben asciutta
sapendo anche la Vs buona premura nello servire gli amici; e quindi
non dubito della Vs approvaz.ne p' mantenervi le ricorrenze.
Qui unito avete il Visto Dog.le delle N.o 20 speditemi B.te Levi e Camerini
p' vallonea. Anzi in caso di Vs annuenza come non dubito
Direi mi mandaste Vs lett.a p' Casso perché quando mi portano il
relativo risco di Contratto. Voi vi spaventate di prendere
Vacchette ed il S.r Caneschi si fece Coraggio prendendone B.te 12 metà
da Salò[?] e metà da Tifoli[?] alli qui Communem.e praticati [aggiunta: p' la seconda] di [segno]30 @ 30½
p' la prima ed [segno]32½ che vagliono. Il Seme lino scarseggia moltiss.mo
è Solam.te in pretesa di [segno]10 @ 10½ met.o il Rub.o con pochi vendit.ri
Notes
The place in the dateline remains uncertain. The postal mark and contemporary docket name Senigallia. The dateline appears to read Ferrara, but its first word remains uncertain; the independent docket and postal mark name Senigallia. The payment clause quotes a price of 16 flat, not the sixteenth day of May. Currency and weight signs, the contracted payment expression and part of the contract clause remain unresolved. B.te is retained without expanding its unit. The raw prices and the inserted first/second price allocation are preserved; no unit is supplied by inference. The because/when clause concerning the contract remains an unfinished fragment; its missing continuation is not invented.
Incoming letter, page 1 — Image 2
English translation
Ferrara. Samuele B.to Finzi, called Magrini
Ferrara[?], 3 August 1851
Only by yesterday evening's post did I receive your esteemed letter of the 30th of last month, posted there on the 1st of this month. Whatever your opinion about leather may be, it is my duty to respect it. On the other hand, if you were here on the spot, you would see how much trouble these men of the trade have in selling good material at 16½ to 17 [currency], with twelve months' credit. In these circumstances, and through my efforts, I managed with great difficulty to persuade the aforesaid Casso, Slanzi[?] & Co. to take the 200 pieces of leather made in your factory from local hides, half flat and half rolled, weighing 25 to 26 [unit] Ferrarese. But, having made the most exact calculations, they can pay you no more than 17¾ silver Napoleons of five francs each per [unit] Ferrarese, loose, delivered free of charges aboard the boat at the bridge. They are to be dispatched within the current month by the first available boat for Ancona. Payment is to be made in Bologna six months after dispatch [unread], or by next May at 16 flat [unit].
I swear on my honour that I had to work very, very hard to persuade them to make this offer. They remain committed to it [interlinear addition: and these terms understood, and irrevocable on their part] until the return post. Please therefore ensure that your letter is not delayed as the other one was; otherwise they would be released from the contract. As to quality, I assured them that it would be selected and thoroughly dry, knowing your care in serving your friends. I therefore do not doubt your acceptance, so that I may secure you repeat business.
Enclosed is the customs endorsement for the twenty [unread] which Levi e Camerini sent me on your behalf for vallonia. If you agree, as I do not doubt you will, I would ask you to send me your letter for Casso, because when they bring me the corresponding [unread] of the contract. You are afraid to buy cowhide leather, while Mr Caneschi took courage and bought twelve B.te, half from Salò[?] and half from Tifoli[?], at the prices commonly current here: [inserted: for the second] 30 to 30½ [currency], for the first, and 32½ [currency], which they are worth. Linseed is extremely scarce; the asking price alone is 10 to 10½ in metallic currency per rubbio, with few sellers.
Notes
The place in the dateline remains uncertain. The postal mark and contemporary docket name Senigallia. The dateline appears to read Ferrara, but its first word remains uncertain; the independent docket and postal mark name Senigallia. The payment clause quotes a price of 16 flat, not the sixteenth day of May. Currency and weight signs, the contracted payment expression and part of the contract clause remain unresolved. B.te is retained without expanding its unit. The raw prices and the inserted first/second price allocation are preserved; no unit is supplied by inference. The because/when clause concerning the contract remains an unfinished fragment; its missing continuation is not invented.
Incoming letter, page 2 — Image 3
Original transcript
Per altro [cancellato: illeggibile] vi fu buona vend.a stante ai prezzi facoltativi
e da molti si ritiene che dopo fiera dovranno certo aumentare.
Pei numeri bassi si praticano [segno]1.65 @ 1.75 met.o a seconda
delle qualità e marche [segno]¼ a partita d'essi e con porta da [segno]6/14, ed da
16/24 dalli [segno]1.90 @ 1.95 e se vorrete Specularvi, dal canto mio
farò ogni sforzo p' rendervi aggradito, e soddisfatto.
Grani e sete senza aff.ri. Qui la fiera finisce peggio di
q.to ha cominciato, ma li Grani sono in pretesa di [segno]72 e
[for.n?] vecchi, sulle [segno]42 @ 45 senza Comprat.ri, e le Sete dalle
[segno]30 @ 32 senza vendit.ri. In attesa di Vs pronto riscontro
e Comandi mi RieConfermo[?] Vostro
Moisè Vita Levi
Notes
The lower-right corner is folded backwards. The goods represented by the lower counts and several associated commercial/unit expressions are not securely identified. All quotations and count ranges remain present. The native grain-price figure is 72. Signature: Moisè Vita Levi; the separate docket abbreviates Vita as V.a.
Incoming letter, page 2 — Image 3
English translation
Otherwise [Deleted: unread], there were good sales at favourable prices, and many believe that they will certainly rise after the fair.
For the lower counts, the current price is 1.65 to 1.75 in metallic currency, according to quality and marks: ¼ [unread]; 6/14 and 16/24, the latter at 1.90 to 1.95. If you wish to trade in them, I shall make every effort to please and satisfy you.
There is no business in grain or silk. Here the fair is ending worse than it began. The asking price for grain is 72 [currency], and old [unread] at 42 to 45 without buyers, and silk at 30 to 32 without sellers. Awaiting your prompt reply and orders, I remain yours,
Moisè Vita Levi
Notes
The lower-right corner is folded backwards. The goods represented by the lower counts and several associated commercial/unit expressions are not securely identified. All quotations and count ranges remain present. The native grain-price figure is 72. Signature: Moisè Vita Levi; the separate docket abbreviates Vita as V.a.
Recipient's draft reply — Image 4
Original transcript
Sarò Laconico nel riscontro della Vs 3 Cor [cancellato: illeggibile] perché troppo
mi è sensibile il cedere al progetto della Vs [aggiunta: serva?]
persuasione negazione di dovere [cancellato: cedere] vendere
Le [M. 100?] a Nap 17¾ posto al Ponte a m/6 p' Bologna
[cancellato: ma l'amiciz.a e buon opinione di [...] talendo [...] ]
[cancellato: [...] avvervole al [...] al [...] ]
ma facendo violenza a me stesso vince l'amiciz.a
p' Li due accordando al loro progetto e condiz.ni portando
con me di darvi il solo mezzo p Cento di [2?] provig.
rinunziando[?] alla Vendita p' in [Trieste?] [cancellato: illeggibile]
essendo in onore la [aggiunta: dura] risoluzion estortami che mi
fa portarmi in tale l'impegno [cancellato: illeggibile] e con altra mia
scriverò d'uniformità alli sud.i amici in tanto vi
ringrazio delle Vs relaz.i Comercialli che vi prego
[cancellato: illeggibile] comunicarmi C C
Recipient's draft reply — Image 4
English translation
I shall be brief in replying to yours of the 3rd of this month [Deleted: unread], because it is too painful for me to yield to the proposal you have [Inserted: unread] urged upon me [unread]: having to [Deleted: yield] sell the [M. 100?] at 17¾ Napoleons, delivered at the bridge, payable in Bologna at six months.
[Deleted: but friendship and a good opinion of [unread].]
[Deleted: [unread] to [unread], to [unread].]
But, forcing myself, friendship for the two gentlemen prevails. I agree to their proposal and conditions [unread], giving you only half a per cent [unread] commission. Renouncing[?] the sale [unread] in Trieste[?] [Deleted: unread]. Being honour-bound by the [Inserted: hard] decision wrung from me, which brings me to undertake this commitment [Deleted: unread], I shall write another letter in accordance with it to the aforesaid friends. In the meantime I thank you for your commercial reports, which I ask you [Deleted: unread] to continue communicating to me. C C
Short note below the draft — Image 4
Original transcript
[pro... al P... ?]
Notes
The draft contains heavily cancelled wording and unresolved commercial abbreviations. The draft contains heavily cancelled wording and several unresolved commercial abbreviations. The draft opening, two cancelled clauses and the commission connective remain locally incomplete. The raw conjectures negazione, talendo and avvervole, and the short lower note, have no secure English rendering. M. 100 and C C remain literal unexpanded notations; no missing clause has been supplied.
Short note below the draft — Image 4
English translation
[unread]
Notes
The draft contains heavily cancelled wording and unresolved commercial abbreviations. The draft contains heavily cancelled wording and several unresolved commercial abbreviations. The draft opening, two cancelled clauses and the commission connective remain locally incomplete. The raw conjectures negazione, talendo and avvervole, and the short lower note, have no secure English rendering. M. 100 and C C remain literal unexpanded notations; no missing clause has been supplied.
Address panel — Image 1
Original transcript
Al S.r
Samuel B.to Finzi d.o Magrini
Ferrara
Notes
The large dark writing across the address side shows through from the draft on the opposite side. The large dark writing visible across the address side is the mirrored show-through of the draft transcribed from the opposite side.
Address panel — Image 1
English translation
To Mr
Samuel B.to Finzi, called Magrini
Ferrara
Notes
The large dark writing across the address side shows through from the draft on the opposite side. The large dark writing visible across the address side is the mirrored show-through of the draft transcribed from the opposite side.
Discovery Terms
- Finzi–Magrini Correspondence