US 185 on 1882 cover w/enclosure & Philadelphia PA. pmk to Dresden, Germany

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Catalog Number

185

Stamp Type

General Issue

Condition

Cover (Postal History)

Stamp Format

Single

Year of Issue

1879

Item Description

Us 185 on 1882 cover with enclosed letter and two black philadelphia aug 27 pa. (august - pennsylvania) circular dated postmarks with segmented cancel and partial arc cancel tying stamp to cover --- addressed to mr. Edwin greble, mosezinsky strasse, dresden, saxony, (germany) europe

From edwin greble, senior, chestnut street, philadelphia, u.S.A. Vertically in script at left --- dresden-altst. 8 11 9 82 (september 1882) circular dated back stamp --- notes and lists, likely unrelated, in pencil and pen on back --- diagonal creases and some wear at corners --- slight soiling --- cover slit open at top

Letter has treasury embossed at upper left of both folded pages --- letter is dated south 19th street, august 27, 1882, and begins, my dear son --- the writer says, "i have heard also about you from millie [...] and mr. Chas mackara. Mr & mrs. Mackara were much pleased with the kindness and attention shown them by you and mary"

He continues, "mr. J. Tells me that there were many places of interest taken to which without your aid they could not have seen, he desires me to express his thanks to you and mary for your kindness to them." --- he says of mr. J, "h[is] appearance is much improved, has a better color and is stouter, of course our conversation was chiefly about you mary and the children."

He reassures, "he has no doubt whatever that your health will be permanently restored in time not far distant, that the disease will disappear as rapidly as it overtook you" --- he optimistically offers the example of another man, whose "condition was similar to yours, was produced by overwork and culminated by a sun stroke, i was not aware of anything being the matter with him" --- e reflects, "your journey through norway was exceedingly interesting and i would have been delighted to have been with you"

He scolds, "i wish you had informed me that you was going to christiana, i would have given you a letter to mr. Bewen [...] with whom i travelled through parts of germany, we became quite intimate" --- he describes, "he is a merchant owning a number of vessels and is a man of consideration in christiana, he speaks english fluently as well as several other languages, you may have seen his photograph in my collection."

He admits, "uncle isaac is growing old and is unable to take charge [of the business], he has intervals of sickness [and] it will not do to put too much charge on him" --- this "requires a person for the office to be able to attend to customers who want designs and alterations made, better versed in it than uncle isaac." --- he complains, "i am making no new stock, have sold considerable of the old and yet there is a large amount remaining which has depreciated vastly"

He considers, "i must find some mode of investing the proceeds of the mortgages on the 21st st[reet] houses [...] i have been notified that they will be paid off" and elaborates on the deal --- he adds circumstantial details, including, "mr. Lee who occupies the house 21 sansom takes another lease on it for five years. I am to put another story on the back building, for which he gives an additional rent of $300 pr annum."

He relates, "perhaps you may remember the yankee station monument that stood next to the large gate entrance for which i wanted $1200. I sold it for $800 including lettering in hebrew and english and foundation" --- he explains, "i must get rid of it at any cost no matter the loss, granite is taking the place of marble and i sell more articles of that material than of marble [...] there is no demand for marble"

He changes the subject, 'we have commenced repairs to the house, this spring the outside was repainted now the work men are in the parlor and bath room, the paper has been pulled off the walls" --- he continues, "the bath room has been cleared out entirely, walls & ceiling stripped of plastering, a new bath tub, was stand & water closet & beday [bidet] of the most approved patterns substituted"

He informs, "mr. Cromwell moved from your house at the expiration of his lease, he left it in a filthy condition, the cellar floor covered with old paper & boxes, the ash pit full, the drain in yard cho[ked] up [...] the laundry disgusting" --- he says of the new tenant, "she is a widow lady and is much pleased with the house and will no doubt continue in it after the expiration of the lease." --- he relates, "i am much gratified by the receipt of a letter from florence, written in english and german also her letter to her [ma chere ami' written in french"

He judges, "the one in english was easily read, that in french difficult as i had to refer to a french dictionary to help me out, the german was as unintelligible as if written in egyptian hieroglyphics" --- he brags, "when i go to europe i shall have to take her with me as a courier, i shall feel very proud of my little grand daughter"

He concludes "i long to see you all, it may be more than a year before i can possibly make it convenient, should my health permit i may undertake the voyage, probably you may take a ship across the atlantic to see me." --- signed, your affectionate father, edwin greble

Historical note: edwin greble, sr., owned a cemetery monuments and mantel business in philadelphia. For an image depicting the business and the philadelphia steam marble works, which he also owned, as well as his showrooms, see: brynmawr/iconog/evans/files/plc010.Html; dark strip across bottom or sides is the plastic holder in the scan

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Seller Information

Seller

lkburgman (434)

Registered Since

01/31/2007

Feedback

99.8%

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Item Location

New York, United States

Ships To

Worldwide

Returns Accepted

Yes

Returns Policy

Money Back - Returns Accepted within 30 Days (Buyer pays Shipping Cost)