1853 – A printed advertising circular announcing the merger of Haviland and Limoges porcelain concerns sent to one of the most important potteries in Virginia

New York City, 1853. Envelope or Cover. Very good. This advertising circular dated February 1st, 1853, measures approximately 8½” x 10½”. It was signed in print by Edward Haviland, et.al. and mailed from New York City to Hugh C. Smith & Company of Alexandria, Virginia. It is franked with an attractive and rather scarce recut 1-cent blue Franklin stamp (Scott #9) canceled with an equally attractive circular New York postmark. It is annotated “Circular” in the upper right corner, indicating it was entitled to be charged at only a one cent (instead of either three or five cents) rate. In nice shape.

The circular reads in part,

“The undersigned, Haviland, Petiniaud & Co. New-York and Underhill, Blanchard & Co. Limoges, France having entered into Copartnerhip and bought the stocks of A. Dalesme & Co. will carry on the business of Importing Porcelaine, under the style of the above-named firms . . . near the Astor House, New York.

“Mr. Underhill . . . has acquired a thorough knowledge of the French China business . . . and the wants of American buyers.
“Messrs. Petinaiud & Blanchard, from their long residence in Limoges, and intimate relations with the largest Manufacturers there, enable them to procure Goods on the most favorable terms, besides possessing every requisite facility for gilding and decorating the same on the spot, by the best artists. . .."

. Hugh Smith managed Alexandria’s renowned Wilkes Street Pottery for many years, producing wares that bore the company’s famed “Alexandria flower” motif. It employed a number of potters, some of whom worked on-site, including free and enslaved African-Americans, two of the most well-known being Thomas Valentine and David Jarbour. Smith also imported china and dry goods, Additionally, he was an active participant in managing several turnpikes and canals including the Fauquier County Turnpike.

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