This is an original invoice letter from the Standard Oil Company of New Jersey, dating back to September 6th, 1929. The document originates from the Newark Branch, located at 185 Washington Street, and is addressed to the Morristown & Erie Railroad Co. in Whippany, New Jersey. It pertains to a previously undelivered invoice from July 30th, 1929, amounting to $5.40, presumed missing from the railroad company's records. The letter states that a duplicate invoice is enclosed, and it expresses the hope that the railroad company will find it correct.
This historical artifact offers a glimpse into the business dealings of two significant entities in New Jersey during the pre-Depression era. Standard Oil, a titan of the oil and gas industry, is represented by the signatures of J. L. Larkin, along with J.E. Stokum (Asst. Manager) and G.S. Oosterhuis (Asst. Manager) on the letterhead. The Morristown & Erie Railroad, with operations in both Whippany and Morristown, Morris County, played a crucial role in regional transportation.
The letter, identified by the "Form Order 11-28" number in the upper left corner, provides insight into the financial transactions between these companies for fuel oil. It is a tangible piece of ephemera that embodies an era of industrial expansion and logistical coordination, before the economic hardships of the 1930s. The document serves as a primary source for understanding early 20th-century commerce and the operations of both a major oil supplier and a regional railroad.
The condition of the letter reflects its age, with visible discoloration and creasing. It bears the marks of time, yet it remains a readable and compelling historical artifact. While showing its age, this 1929 Standard Oil invoice letter, linking the oil industry to the Morristown & Erie Railroad, presents a unique opportunity for collectors of railroadiana, petroleum industry memorabilia, and New Jersey historical documents. This original document offers a genuine window into the commercial landscape of the late 1920s.