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Summary

• Date Letter Sent: 15 November 1828

• Country of Origin: Scotland (GB)

• Country of Destination: France

• Town Sent From: Leith (Edinburgh's port)

• Town Sent To: Bordeaux

• Philatelic Details:

  • Rare green circular paid postmark PAID AT LEITH / 15 NOV / 1828.

  • Red circular London transit stamp PAID / 17 NOV / 1828.

  • French entry handstamp F.28 (French border exchange mark) and manuscript foreign rate markings (1/8 / 21).

  • Docketing on reverse: "Leith 15th Nov 1828 / Aitchison, Paterson & Co." and "John Exshaw Esq / Bordeaux".

• Sender: Aitchison, Paterson & Co. (George Aitchison), Leith

• Receiver: John Exshaw, Esquire, Bordeaux, France

• Sociological, Historical & Maritime Facts:

  • Colonial Sugar Trade: Explicitly details buying the Brig Betsey (Captain A. D. Barclay) loading at Liverpool for Isle of France (Mauritius) to return with a cargo of sugar to Leith, managed by agent Mr. William Black in Port Louis.

  • Bordeaux Wine Trade: Discusses orders for Saint-Péray wine, White Wine Vinegar per ship Pilot, and selling Bordeaux Clarets to Bell, Rannie & Co. (the premier Scottish wine merchants).

Full Transcription & Contextual Research

Transcription (Logical Reading Order)

[Address Panel & Postal Markings]

John Exshaw Esq.

Bordeaux

[Postmarks:] PAID AT LEITH / 15 NOV / 1828 (Green Ink) | PAID / 17 NOV / 1828 (Red Ink) | F.28

[Rates:] 1/8d (Prepaid British Rate) | 21 (French Sous Rate)

[Docketing:] Leith 15th Nov 1828 / Aitchison, Paterson & Co.

[Page 1 / Firm Letter]

John Exshaw Esqr.

Bordeaux

Leith 15th Novr. 1828

Dear Sir,

We have your esteemed favor of 31st Ulto. — We have accepted your draft p. £222.12/ and returned it to Mess.rs Twiss & Browning.

Mr. Sharp requests us to write you to ship him 2 Cases cont.g 3 dozen each of St. Peray of superior quality; — also, if they are in time for the Pilot, 2 Tierces best White Wine Vinegar.

Mess.rs Bell Rannie & Co. ask us to show them your Clarets on arrival. — Is it your wish that we continue to take orders for you quietly, or that we drop your Agency? —

We are truly, Dear Sir,

Your most obdt. Servts.

Aitchison Paterson & Co.

Include this postage in Mr. Sharp's invoice.

[Page 2 / Personal & Maritime Letter from George Aitchison]

Leith 15 Novr. 1828

My Dear Sir,

I am glad to see from your letter to A.P. & Co. that you seem to be in good health. George Aitchison & Co. have bought a Brig the Betsey Capt. A. D. Barclay now loading at Liverpool for the Isle of France [Mauritius] intending to return from thence with a cargo of Sugar (if she can get one) to this port. I continue in the Trade — our agent at Port Louis is Mr. Will. Black who is married to a Lady of that place & returns there with her in the Brig. — Could you favor us with any assistance amongst your Friends there — or at least bear testimony to our respectability when writing to any of your friends there — our Friends in London on whom we open Credits are Mess. Reid Irving & Co.

Ever most truly yours,

George Aitchison

I certainly do hope that on your next visit you will put it in my power at least to have a chat with you over a bottle of Bordeaux.

Philatelic, Social, Historical & Maritime Research

• Green Postmark Rarity:

  • The PAID AT LEITH date stamp struck in green ink is a well-known Scottish philatelic specialty that commands an instant premium over standard black or red postmarks.

• Indian Ocean & Sugar Trade (Mauritius):

  • Following the British capture of Mauritius (Isle of France) in 1810 during the Napoleonic Wars, Port Louis became a major sugar supplier to Great Britain. Direct commercial letters referencing ship purchases (Brig Betsey), specific captains (Capt. Barclay), and Port Louis merchant networks are highly sought after by maritime and colonial historians.

• Bordeaux Wine Dynasty (Exshaw & Bell Rannie):

  • John Exshaw was part of the renowned Irish-Bordeaux wine merchant dynasty (Exshaw Cognac / Bordeaux).

  • Bell, Rannie & Co. in Leith were Scotland's most famous historic wine importers, serving the Scottish aristocracy and famous figures like Sir Walter Scott.