Moxie Industries: July 2010

German cigarette cards, c.1930's

Renate Müller (26 April 1906 – 1 October 1937) was a German singer and actress in both silent films and sound films, as well as on stage. One of the most successful actresses in German films from the early 1930s, she was courted by the Nazi Party to appear in films that promoted their ideals, but refused. Her sudden death at the age of 31 was initially attributed to epilepsy, but after the end of World War II witnesses suggested that she had been murdered by Gestapo officers, although another theory contends that she committed suicide. The true circumstances of her death remain unknown.

"It is very hot here so that the tar melts off the rigging some times."

This is an old stampless letter that I picked up about 20 years ago at the Lambertville, New Jersey flea market. The dealer had a box of old covers and I went through and picked out several that I thought had interesting postmarks. I didn't get around to reading the contents of this letter until just a couple of years ago:

Bermuda July 4, 1852
Do not be uneasy Dear Mother. I take my pen in hand to inform you that I am well and hope these few lines will find you the same. I think I shall not be to home until October and if I do not make any thing I shall not come home before spring. I shall ship to go a merchant voyage and if I do I will write to you and let you know where I am going. We have got but 35 bbl (barrels) of sperm oil and 4 bbl (barrels) black fish oil. The Chanticleer is a good vessel. There is plenty of bed bugs aboard. We have a good Capt. but the mate is a rascal. We was 20 days to sea before we made land after after we left home. The first land we made was Port Rico and we cruise off there a week and then we hove away for Sand Bay St. Domingo. We stayed there but half a day because there was not any whale seen there this year. We then went into three ports and got a […] and then left away for the Charlestown grounds. We expect to go to the Western grounds before we come home. We lost 2 large whale. One of them upset our boat – all hands saved. I belong to the starboard boat. This is too lazy a life for me. Some times we have hard work. Do not be uneasy about me. I am to be married when I get back to Boston. I did not tell you any thing about it before. If I had waited till the first of April I could have had work in the same place for Mr. Haley in Boston. I shall come to see you when I come home. Give my best respects to all the folks and when you write to me let me know how all the folks are. I should like to see you all very much. It has been a long time since I have seen William and his wife. I did not see any body but George when I went away. None of the rest knew it. I have been away from home about 3 months and a half. You must excuse my bad writing for the vessel is rolling very badly. You will hardly know me when I get back. It is very hot here so that the tar melts off the rigging some times.
From your affectionate son,
Francis Augustus Hutchins

Forget my friends, o name it not.
I love them with regret, forget I may.
But there is one I never can forget.
Ask not her name, I only breathe a simple sound in prayer.
But could you look within this breast, you find it written there.
July 7^th
If I should tell you what we live on you would think it hard. We have nothing for food but stinking beef and yams and I grow fat on that. I have sent one letter to you. We all letter post letters aboard. I do not know wether you will get them or not. The vessel was bound for Charlestown S. Carolina. The Captain put one man in irons because he sassed the boats […]men.
July 8^th
We are going in to Bermuda to get some medicine for one of the crew that has got the fever and ague. This is my last letter I shall send because I have no more paper. This is my last sheet. Do not forget to send a letter to me about the first of September. Direct it to me in Provincetown on board the schooner Chanticleer. I do not expect to get home before October. I cannot write any more. Good by.
From your son,
Francis Augustus Hutchins
Tell Sarah I should like to see her very much.