Quarto bifolium (ca. 25.5 x 19 cm or 10 x 7 ½ in). Blue ink on creamy wove paper. 1 ½ pp. Addressed and stamped on verso of second leaf. Fold marks, tearing and losses along fold marks, second leaf with minor hole after opening not affecting text, otherwise a good letter.

An early and interesting letter written by Ohio merchant Abraham B. Galinger to his friend “Caiptain [Suspane?] Smal” in “Caipe Cod.” In Ohio, Galinger sold “merchandise in partnership” with his brother. He later moved to Iowa, where he opened a pharmaceutical business “Galinger & Snodgrass.” By 1860, he lived in California, working as a lumber dealer and later miner. In this letter Galinger writes that business is good, yet they still intend to move it to New York or Philadelphia within the next few months. He also mentions that he had some “calicoes” (likely calico textile) stolen from him but later recovered both them and forty dollars.

Overall, an interesting and early letter connecting Ohio to Cape Cod.

Text of the letter:
“I take the liberty to write to you to inform you that I enjoy good health at this present time, and hope that these few lines may find you and your wife and family enjoying the sam [sic] great blessing. I am now in Somerset Perry County selling Merchandise in Partnership with my Brother, we have done good business here yet with all this we intent [sic] to close our business here by the first of April [next?], when we expect to remove to New York or Philadelphia, wher [sic] we will again commence business. Wher [sic] I will be happy to see you and your family if you should visit the city at any time. If your son [Suspin?] is at home if you would be so kind as to tell him I was very sory [sic] that I did not have an opportunity of seeing him again befor [sic] I left Cape Cod. I should be happy to receive from him a letter. Newes [sic] I have none except that I had som [sic] calicoes stolen from me but fortunately I recovered the Goods and forty dollars in the bagain [sic]. In all my journeying I have found no place I prefered [sic] to Cape Cod.

“My best respect to you also to your wife and family Caiptain [sic] S. Smal

“Give my best respect to your son in Law and wife and his daughter Henriette, tell her that I have not forgotten the promise that I made her, and if an opportunity presents itself I will perform what I promised. If you please on the reception of this, write to me concerning your health and family. My address is Abraham Galinger Somerset Perry County Ohio”