In 1825, commercial letters between Brazil and Europe reveal the challenges and opportunities of international maritime trade.
- Commercial letters between Brazil and Europe (London and Lisbon), for “James Pinnie Esq”.
- 4 sheets: 3 double-sided cards + 1 table.
- In English.
- +/- 20 cm x 25 cm.
- February 23, 1825.
- Excellent condition.
-
Unique piece.
This set of documents consists of several handwritten business letters from 1825, addressed to James Pinnie Esq. in London. The letters detail maritime trade transactions involving commodities such as rice, salt, and cloth, as well as information on market prices and freight costs between cities such as Rio de Janeiro and Lisbon. They include invoices and financial reports on goods sent and received. They also contain descriptions of the condition of shipments and difficulties encountered in transportation. The set reflects the way merchants managed international trade in the 19th century, with an emphasis on financial and operational details.
(...) fustas are worth 38,000 to 40,000 per thousand for a good quality. Rum remains nominally the same. Hats are in low demand, _ 20% to 30%, depending on the fabric. Batts in good _ yards. _ exported goods would be worth more. White wine would be worth £118, of a good quality _ __ of _ p. Sugar would probably fetch the same price. The last sale of salt from Lisbon was at 4000, but we fear the increase in Rio, and are anxiously waiting for the prices to rise.
The table is particularly interesting. It lists the most important products being exported and imported at that time, such as sugar, coffee, cotton, tobacco, rice, among others. This reflects the main commodities that drove transatlantic trade. The predominance of certain agricultural products, such as sugar and coffee, indicates the importance of colonies and plantations in the world economy of the 19th century. The inclusion of manufactured goods (such as textiles, navigation equipment, and other industrialized products) in the imports highlights the dependence of colonial markets on industrialized goods from Europe, which reinforces the economic dynamics of colonialism and the Industrial Revolution.
Although the table does not directly mention the slave trade, the historical context suggests that many of the products listed, such as sugar and cotton, were linked to slave labor, which was the basis of production for these commodities at the time. This highlights the connection between the trade in goods and the slave trade, which had a major economic and human impact.
What makes this set of documents interesting is that it provides a detailed and authentic insight into early 19th-century maritime trade, including the complexities and challenges faced by merchants at the time. The letters reveal valuable information about price fluctuations for commodities such as rice, salt, and cloth, and highlight the logistical difficulties and costs involved in shipping by sea. They also show how merchants carefully monitored their finances and maintained regular correspondence to ensure the success of their transactions, which was crucial in a period when communication and transportation were significantly slower and more uncertain.
