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Here is a fantastic Pacific Northwest advertising cover and its enclosed letter.
1. Envelope Base & Postage
Stamp: 2¢ Brown George Washington (likely Scott #210, Red Brown, issued 1883).
Condition of Stamp: Sound, well-centered for the issue, with minor edge perfs extending slightly over the top right of the envelope edge.
Cancellation: A crisp, bold black circular date stamp (CDS) reading "PORTLAND / NOV / 15 / OREG." coordinates perfectly with a duplex obliterator/killer canceling the stamp.
2. Corner Card / Advertising Text
This cover features a very clean, distinct typography layout in the upper-left corner:
City of Paris.COLLINSON & AHPEL,Third Street,PORTLAND, — OREGON.Dry Goods.
Historical Context: "City of Paris" was a common name adopted by high-end 19th-century dry goods merchants and importers to denote fashionable, quality stock (inspired by the famous department stores of San Francisco and Paris itself). Collinson & Ahpel operated as prominent wholesalers/retailers in early Portland.
3. Address & Delivery Details
Recipient: Messrs S. Marks and Co (Solomon Marks & Co., prominent early merchant pioneers of Southern Oregon).
Destination: Roseburg / Oregon
Route Logic: Sent via the Oregon & California Railroad line south from Portland through the Willamette Valley directly to the commercial hub of Roseburg in Douglas County.
Letter Transcription & Analysis
The included letter is written on beautifully faint-ruled paper with an elegant, flowing Spencerian script.
Transcription
PortlandNov 14 1884
Messrs S. Marks & CoRoseburgGentlemen
Your favor of the 12th inst receivedand in reply state, we are out of Black Astrachan at present, but will have some inin a few days, we send sample of gray, think we do not cut on the bias.
Yours RespectfullyCollinson & Ahpelper H.
Content Significance
Dating: Written November 14, 1884, and postmarked the following day, November 15.
Dry Goods Terminology: * "Black Astrachan": A highly fashionable, heavy looped or curled wool fabric (mimicking karakul lamb fur) incredibly popular in the 1880s for winter cloaks, collars, and trimmings.
"Cut on the bias": A technical tailoring term referring to cutting fabric diagonally across the grain to give it more stretch and a smoother drape.
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At Electro Antiques, we are dedicated to rescuing, rediscovering, and restoring this history of electronics and computing, reviving and preserving it for future generations.
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