Recoil Rob,
The four page reply refers to a letter from Jobes dated October 19th, so you are missing some correspondence, hence the long gap.
GregSy, transcription, rather than translation is the correct word if we want to nit-pick. A very common problem for many in deciphering text is that the brain, concentrating on text, looses the sense/context of the content. I suffer from it;-)
At least Husssey had the decency to apologise for his writing in his P.S. – he writes like a cat!
Here is a like to a photo of the Hussey premises at 62 St James Street.
http://www.allinlondon.co.uk/directory/1301/2198.php I guess it is much the same now as then. Those premises are near present-day William Evans and also near the new-ish Berretta showrooms - know where the shops are so I don't bother with numbers, Google will do it for you.
Those letters are an interesting historical insight on the Anglo-US gun trade of the time and shows how a UK maker approached the US market.
Here is the full text(the underlined bits prolly won't come through...)
Rs
K.
Dear Mr. Jobes,
Many thanks for yours of October 19th, contents carefully noted, would have written you before, had I not met with accident, breaking bone in my right ankle, however, and glad to report progress and that I am able to sit up and take a little nourishment.
Am enclosing your account for a pair of guns, (12 bores) dispatched October 22 and I hope have arrived safely, meeting with your entire approval.
I may venture to ask you to be kind enough to draw the attention of your
Cont’d
accountant to our account, guess you do not want to lose the cash discount?
What is the verdict on the Over and Under? Hope all satisfactory.
What do you think of my visiting places of interest in the States with (Mr.??) Wilbur, where all the gun folk gather, taking with us a show of guns, all orders required to pass through A & F, they paying Rail and Hotel exes.
Is there any demand for a plainer gun for duck shooting? To sell at about Sixty five guineas here, retail, and another
Cont’d
for beginners to sell at about Fifty guineas? Please let me know, might consider the manufacturing of same, although not at all sure, but think if there is the trade to be done we might have it.
Weapons would be just simple and plain, Hammerless Ejectors, those for Duck Shooting, being made in 10, and 12 bore calibre, 30” in barrels, the other in 16, and 20 Bore, 28inch Barrels, orders would have to be for not less than Half Dozen at time, for either, and only length of Barrels as above would be supplied.
Cont’d
A full and early acknowledgement to this would be esteemed a favour.
Trusting business is good and that you and yours are all well, with kindest regards,
I am,
Yours very truly,
H. H. Hussey.
P.S. excuse writing, the best I can do under existing conditions.
