1941 – A letter from a Shanghai trader soliciting clothing and textile business from the San Diego Submarine Base in anticipation of a coming war between Japan and the United States

Shanghai, China, 1941. Envelope or Cover. Very good. This one-page typed letter from The Reliance Company of Shanghai, dated 12 July 1941 was sent to “The Ship’s Service Dept.” at the” U.S. Naval Station U.S. Submarine Base” in San Diego, California. It is enclosed in its mailing envelope with appropriately franked Chinese stamps canceled by legible Shanghai postmarks. In nice shape.

The letter repeatedly references “world conditions” and suggests that orders should be place quickly. It reads in part:

RE: Special Sales of Emb’d Linens, Lace Dry Goods, Chinese Silk Underwear, Appenzell, Emb’d Handkerchiefs, Etc. Amounting to US$150,000 Approximately. . ..

“Supplies of both your Officers and Clients. . .. we are glad to applicant ourselves to serve you with all of our famous products of the same. . ..

“We have been well communicating with all those famous Post Exchanges & Ship’s Service Stores . . . in Coco Solo, Fort Davis, Fance Field, Port Amador, Fort Clayton . . . US Government Establishments in St. Thomas, V.I.; Tientsin, China; etc. . ..

“We wish to state that at present, we are having the fresh stock of a fine variety of Emb’d Table Cloths & Napkins, Tea Sets, Slucheon Sets . . . Sheets and Pillow Slips, Handkerchiefs, Coilies, Runners, Silk Underward, Men’s Robes, Mandarin Coats, Pyamas, etc. . .. All are of the best makes. . ..

“Owing to the present world conditions prevailing, it is understood that for the complete defence of your place, both of USN Naval Force and the requirement so our lines are greatly increased, so that as for your future demands, we wish you would AT ONCE to send us your valuable orders. . ..

“As to the prices, there will be no question at all. . .. It’s possible for us to give you the most remarkable low prices for the best goods obtainable. . ..

“We are having a whole confidence in US Government Organization, and so, we need not deposits for any of your sized orders placed in with us. . ..

“Please note that due to the disturbed conditions existing, yet we are wondering if it is still possible for us to make our further shipment just as smoothly as before, so that you are strongly requested as to consider to send us order in an early date. . ..”

. An interesting commercial solicitation from a company that would soon no longer exist sent to an organization that would soon be too occupied to worry about silk underwear and mandarin jackets.
At the time of listing, there are no records of similar items for sale in the trade, having appeared at auction, or held by institutions.

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