Letter from cloth merchant Louis Schlemm to Mrs. Louvrex née Wuchters

Letter in pen and ink, dated "Curaçao, pro April 1794", concerning the cloth, stockings and hats trade, on three pages of a bifolium, 33.5 x 21.5 cm., with appendix of 6 pieces of original cloth with explanatory note ("differente pattroonen, de Bouquette verder van malkander") and with the original envelope with wax seal (also with the name of captain Herm. Kniebel on the envelope).

Interesting letters, providing a lovely insight into the cloth trade at the end of the 18th century, and indirectly also into slavery on the island of Curaçao. The letter is addressed to Johanna Maria Louvrex (1758-1812) ("Mevrouw, & seer geëstimeerde vriendin"), the wife of Henri Lambert Louvrex, who owned a large trade office in Amsterdam (corner of Keizersgracht-Leidsestraat) together with Jacob van Lennep. The writer, Louis Schlemm was a merchant on Curaçao, owner of a plantation and colonial council member. In the letter, Schlemm, who did business with the Louvrex family, indicates that his sick wife ("met haare slegte Borst reeds lange soekelende") is expecting prosperity with his "negoçie". The 30 hats have arrived in good order, but sales are hampered by competition from Philadelphia: "Ik sal wel daarmeede wat soeckelen, maar egter denke, dat het nog wel uijtvallen sal." "(...). Ik raade Uwe nooit weeder hoede te senden nog Vrouwe Koussen, terwijl hier Cattoen in overvloet, onze slave daagelijks breeden." Then Schlemm orders a large number of articles which do sell, such as "1 p. Swart Castoor, een soort goed dat de Mulatinnen in diepe rouw dragen tot kleer" or "fijne batiste, onopgemaakt, niet geklandert maar geen dunne doek, dat onverkoopbaar is". He also mentions the samples he sent along, such as "20 p. swarte Purper, volgens monster" and "10 p. seersukkers, maar geen ander, als van bijgaand monster." After this list, he mentions "connoissement" (price) on "1 Baal Coffij Boonen". In the final part of the letter he mentions he regrets the mistakes made with earlier invoices and that the monkey from Mexico intended for the sister of Mrs. Louvrex had unfortunately died, to conclude with a friendly warning for Mr. Louvrex. With added a manuscript account book, ca. 40 pages, cover with title label "De Heeren Louvrex en van Lennep Anno 1804", small 4to size (total 1 letter and 1 book).