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Ferdinand Masendorff financial notebook

 Collection
Identifier: W-0039

Scope and Contents

This financial notebook, written by merchant Ferdinand Masendorff, includes lists of prices and shipping rates for items such as cotton, sugar, coffee, and corn. In addition, it lists currency exchange rates, United States cotton production rates, and a list of Mobile, Alabama, cotton brokers. Massendorff's contact list also is notable, as it lists individuals from New Orleans, Havana (Cuba), Hamburg (Germany), Antwerp (Belgium), London (England), and many other locations where he conducted trade.

Dates

  • 1849-1861

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

None

Biographical / Historical

A native of Hamburg, Germany, Ferdinand Masendorff was born around 1810. He was a successful merchant, trading goods in New Orleans, Havana, and La Havre, France. Passenger lists report that Masendorff traveled frequently, traveling to Liverpool in 1838, Havana in 1850 and 1854, and Hull, England, in 1852. According to the 1860 census, Masendorff was a resident of Mobile and owned real estate valuing $9,000.

Sources: England, Alien Arrivals 1810-1811, 1826-1869; New Orleans Passenger Lists, 1813-1945; New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1850; 1860 Census.

Extent

0.05 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Overview

Financial notebook includes lists of prices and shipping rates for items such as cotton, sugar, coffee and corn, as well as lists of currency exchange rates, United States cotton production rates, and Mobile cotton brokers.

Physical Location

The A. S. Williams III Americana Collection, Amelia Gayle Gorgas Library, The University of Alabama

Provenance

Gift of A. S. Williams III, 2010

General

Title on phase box spine: Masendorff's Cotton Book - Mobile: 1852

Processed by

Haley Aaron and Martha Bace, 2013

Source

Creator

Title
Guide to Ferdinand Masendorff financial notebook
Status
Completed
Date
October 2013
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Box 870266
Tuscaloosa AL 35487-0266
205.348.0513