$600
China, Correspondence c. 1860. Ten letters total; seven sent from Newchwang, now called Yingkou, a major shipping port for Manchuria, two sent from Shanghai, and one sent from Paris; all addressed to Miss A.J. Knight of Lancaster and Boston, Massachusetts, called "Jennie" by the signer, Albert; written on blue and white stationery, some with holograph envelopes, stamps removed. Albert provides some praise of the landscapes and humanity of his hosts, and some harsh generalizations. "All Chinese cities are dirty and full of bad odors." He was in China on business, and intends to learn the language. "It will only be necessary for me to acquire sufficient [Chinese language proficiency] for business purposes, so that when conversation is going on between our Comprador (a Chinaman who transacts business with Chinese, keeps run of the market and purchases according to order- such as all houses have) and a native merchant, I may detect the 'pigeon' (business) as well learn many important things going on about us."
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2012-11-18
