Pontil Bottle 1850s Stamped Folded Letter Udolpho Wolfe Schnapps Brother Writing

Description

Here is an Original, Amazing Antique 19th. Century American “Proprietary-Medicinal-Spirits” - Related Stampless-Folded Letter from the Early 1850’s.
The Intimate Family Letter is Addressed and Written-to the Famous Virginia-Born, “Udolpho Wolfe” whose “Aromatic Schiedam Schnapps” were Extremely Popular in the United States from the 1850’s - 1890’s. Among Important Historical "Points" of Interest, This Letter Seems to Mention Udolpho Wolfe's "Wife" who appears to be "Ann", when Brother Nathaniel Asks about Her Towards the End of the Writing. Until, Now, the Name or Identity of Udolpho Wolfe's "Wife" had been a Mystery, according to Other Significant Antique Bottle History Research Authorities and Any Other Written Historical Biographies.
The Line of Early Square and (Usually) “Olive-Green - Black Glass”  Wolfe's Schiedam Schnapps Bottles Have Long been a Popular Niche of Specialized Antique Bottle Collecting.
Udolpho Wolfe’s Schnapps Bottles were Produced in the 19th. Century United States and Dutch Glass Factories and  are Still Highly Sought After among both American and European Collectors to the Present Day.
The Early Letter Dates to the Very Initial ~ Innovation of the “U.S. Postal-Stamp” which was introduced in the 1840-50’s. The Early Letters were Once Drawn-Up on a Thick “Parchment-Style-Paper”, which were Literally “Folded” and “Addressed” on the Front-Sides. These “Folded-Letters” are often “Stampless” (Before U.S. Postal Stamps came in to Being) and were Sent-Out at a Fee that was Paid to the Post-Master at the Post Office - Prior to the 1850’s)
The Letter is Quill-Pen Ink-Written and is Addressed to Udolpho Wolfe on the Front Side.
The Contents Read as Follows ~
“Louisville, July 13th, 1852
DEAR UDOOLPHO,
Your Letter of the 9th. Just Reached me This Morning. I had Previously Learned through the Newspapers, and by a Despatch from Michael, Dated Yazoo City, that Our Unfortunate Brother James Perished on the 5th. of July, on Board the Steamboat "St. James".
You Well Remarked, in Your Letter that the "Chain of our Family" is Broken after some Thirty-One or Two Years. This Misfortune Fills my mind with Days of Sorrow and Recalls to Memory our Youthful Days, when our Dear Father and Mother were on Earth. Time has Fled so Rapidly and the Cares Responsiblities of Life have Multiplied, to Such an Extent, That they were Just Remembered with that Freshness, which I now Feel. I Now Feel, as if I Stood in the Presence of our Sainted Mother, who Bids Us, for the Future, to Love One another, More than we Have Done. We Too, are Hurrying Down the Stream of Time and it Behooves us to Cling Closer Together. Let Us Resolve. Let Us Resolve to Write to Eachother, at least Once a Month. If the Letter Does Not Occupy but Half-a-Page, that We Must be Reminded, that the Same Blood Runs Through our Veins. I Feel Sad, Very Sad. Death has ( Interrupted??) Our Circle and Reminds Us that We, too, are Mortal...Acts as though He Believed were Not Cared For. Let Him Banish the Thought. Let Him Remember that He was Father's Last Born, that Grew to Manhood, and that We were Committed to His Care. He Should Feel as Though He Were Our Parent, and exhibit, at least by Writing Occassionally that Felt and Cared for Those who were so Near to Him.
I Have Just Gotten through the Labours(????) of the Criminal Court. They Wire Here, Ordinarily, For Work. Three Weeks I have Been Incessantly Engaged, Contending with Some of the Stronger and Most Experienced Member or our Bar. But The Work is Finished, for the Present. We Have Been on Vacation, for Nearly Two-Months.
I have Made Many Inquiries, with a Few, to Procure-You a Suitable Agent. I Can Find Many Persons ( Apothecaries) , who will Undertake it, but they Will Not Answer. Some Are Not Responsible (????) and Others Have Not the Energy of Faculties.... I Applied to Mr. (Tharbirge????), a Large Dealer in Drugs, who Declined in Consequence of his Reason of Time. He Suggested that "Gordon" He knows for the Business.
He is Responsible, but in addition to that He enjoys a Large Country Trade and He’s an Extensive “…….” In Many Parts of the Country - He is “……” but I think He will be faithful.
I Received a Very Affectionate Letter from Egbert Watson of Charlottesville a few Days ago informing me that Adelaide was at Charlottesville and had lost one of her Children. She had gone to that Village to spend the summer. It Seems from His Letter that………..” You Mentioned in Your Letter that You and Your Little Son have been Sick. I Trust that before this Letter Reaches You that You Will be again at Business and He at School.
“Remember me in Affectionate Terms to Ann and “…….” Me to be an Affectionate Brother ~ N. Wolf
This Amazingly Detailed and Heart-Felt Letter is Authored by Nathaniel Wolfe, Udolpho’s Brother who was Working as a Successful Criminal Attorney in Louisville Kentucky.
After Mentioning the Sudden Tragic and Sad Passing of another Sibling (James Wolfe) While On-Board a Steam Boat, Nathaniel Discloses His attempts to “Ask-Around” (His Legal and Business Associates) in Order to Find a Viable “Marketing Agent” for Udolpho’s Thriving “Schnapps Enterprise”
While it seems Most of the Business People are either too “Busy” or too “Complacent” and Not Interested in the Job, Nathaniel Agrees upon a Suggestion that “Gordon” may be the Best Option for a Few Good Reasons. I am assuming that “Gordon” Refers to the World-Famous British “Gin-Merchant” whose Product is Still a Leading Brand of Gins to this Very Day.
CONDITION: The Early Stampless Folded-Letter is in Good, Original Antique "Estate" Acquired Condition w NO FORMS OF "DAMAGE", NO CREASES, NO FOLDS, NO TEARS, NO "MARKINGS", NO WATER OR "MOISTURE-CONTACT-ISSUES", NO  STRIKES OR "IMPACTS". There is a Tiny Hole, that Is Visible at the Far-End of the Letter, that Resulted from the Tearing of the Original "Wax-Seal" Upon the Original Opening of the Letter. There is some Light Age-Toning and Probably Some Minal Indications of Light, Age-Related Usage + Handling.
~ Overall Incredibly Nice ~ !!!!
****The Amazing Antique Paper-Document is Presently Stored, and is "Shipped-to-You", Within a Rigid-Plastic Holder, for the Utmost Protection During the Shipping-Process.*****
Wolfes Schnapps
In 1774, Family Patriarch “Benjamin Wolfe”
Moved from London To Richmond Virginia and Became an American Revolutionary War Soldier and Ranking U.S. Military Man who went on to Serve in the War of 1812.
He was Father to Seven Sons and a Daughter.
A Son Joel Wolfe who was Involved in the Importation of European “Spirits” Moved from Richmond to NY City around 1825 where he was joined by his brother Udolpho.
Joel’s Involvement with European Spirits Trade was Developing and He Built a corresponding Liquor Warehouse at 27 Beaver Street in N.Y City.
His Brother Udolpho in 1841 Developed and Began Marketing "UDOLPHO WOLFE'S AROMATIC SCHNAPPS", and Shortly Thereafter, His Name became Famous for the Famous Product which Professed to Have Medicinal Properties.
,,,,The Newspaper Article
**** “The American Commercial Times” July, 11 th. 1874*****
The late Mr. Udolpho Wolfe, whose name has attained such world-wide celebrity, was one of the most prominent and highly esteemed among the old merchants of New York.
He was of German descent, his father. Benjamin Wolfe, having emigrated to Virginia in 1774. During the Revolutionary War, Mr. Benjamin Wolfe served under Washington, and reached the rank of Major. In 1812 he again joined the army and had command of the troops in Richmond.
Mr. Udolpho Wolfe was born at Richmond, Va., received his education at Charlottesville, and came to Neww York in 1825. He commenced business in this city in 1820, and for many years was extensively engaged in the importation of wines
and liquors.
Of those who were his business contemporaries, at the commencement of his career, there is we believe, but one now remaining, the head of a well known firm in this city.
In 1848 Mr. Wolfe first introduced into this country the brand of gin, which has since acquired such unprecedented popularity, under the name of Aromatic Schiedam Schnapps.
It was made at his own distilleries at Schiedam, Holland, a city long famous for its productions in this line.
The finest quality of selected barley is the basis of the article, and by the peculiar process of rectification the spirit is freed from all deleterious properties and rendered absolutely pure.
An admixture of the essence of the Italian juniper
berry, well known for its aromatic and medicinal qualities, gives the Schnapps its peculiar and distinctive flavour .
lt is imported in bulk and bottled in this country, and is never sold except in cases containing one dozen quarts or two dozen pints.
Mr. Wolfe's death occurred about four years ago, and our readers will doubtless recall the numerous articles in the leading newspapers, commemorative of his energy, enterprise and
success as a merchant, and his sterling qualities as a man of unblemished reputation.
In January, 1872, the business of the house was re-organized under the present corporate style of the " Udolpho Wolfe Co.," of which Mr. David H. Burke is the President. Mr, Burke is a brother-in-law of the late Mr. Wolfe, and was associated with him in business for some fifteen years past -
The New York office and warerooms of the Company are past -located at No. 22, Beaver street.
A stock of from 6000 to 10,000) cases (of Bottles) is always kept in bond to supply the export trade to the West Indies and Central America, and not less than 10,000 cases are usually in store, to meet the demands of the home trade.
Upon the Pacific Coast the sales are very large; indeed in all sections of the country the Schnapps is to be found in every druggist's establishment, and its use as a healthful beverage. although perhaps not required for strictly medicinal purposes, is universal. As an indication of the quantity that is bottled daily in this city, we may state that the company purchase each day Government stamps to the value of 0.
The company have their central European depot at Hamburg, Germany, whence their supply the export trade to all, the principal ports of Europe, Australia, China, Japan, South America, &c. Last year shipments from Hamburg reached the enormous quantity of 74,000 cases.
So firmly established has become the reputation of the Schnapps in all parts of the world, that for many years there has been little necessity for any special effort in order to extend its sales. Unlike the numerous imitations which have from time to time obtained an ephemeral publicity, it has steadily gained upon public favour, through the mainten-nance of the perfect purity which originally characterized it.
No deviation from its high standard of quality is ever permitted, consequently dealers and consumers have the fullest assurance of its invariable reliability.
We have alluded to the medical virtues of tho Schiedam Schnapps, and would say a word or two more upon this point.
As a diuretic it possesses extraordinary efficacy, and is highly recommended by the most distinguished physicians in all cases where snob a remedy is required.
As a tonic and corrective it is a positive specific, and will be found to prevent and remove the troubles occasioned by malarious influences or impure water, and is therefore an indispensable vade mécum for travellers and those who are unacclimated.****
NATHANIEL WOLFE
"An influential citizen and probably the most brilliant lawyer at the Louisville bar during the period between the early 1830s and early 1860s"; Noted as a defense attorney in the nationally followed Matt Ward trial ("one of the historic cases of the Kentucky courts"); Elected Kentucky House of Representatives (1859-1863), Elected Kentucky State Senator (1853-1855), Elected Jefferson County Commonwealth Attorney (1839-1852)
As a native of Richmond, Virginia, Wolfe was one of the two (Class of 1829) first graduates of the University of Virginia School of Laws. After law school, Wolfe traveled to Kentucky to begin a law practice "where he attained a high repute as a criminal attorney."
Wolfe's importance to Kentucky can not be understated. As a state legislator, Wolfe's persuasive words successfully advocated (via communication with President Lincoln, the Kentucky Legislature and the Governor of Kentucky) that Kentucky should maintain its neutrality in the American Civil War fearing the consequences of the Commonwealth taking a position favoring the Union or Confederacy. The Kentucky legislature honored Wolfe with a Kentucky county in his name, "Wolfe County".
In 1838, Wolfe married Mary Ann Vernon, a descendant of two old Louisville families including William S. Vernon (father) and Aaron Fountaine (grandfather). The couple had ten children. He was a political member of the Democratic Party and his religious faith was Presbyterian.
Wolfe is listed under The Kentucky Encyclopedia by John E Kleber, Editor in Chief, the University Press of Kentucky, copyright 1992, A History of Kentucky and Kentuckians, Volume II, by E. Polk Johnson, The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, 1912.