Prominent Southern Gun Dealers Discuss Antebellum Slave Prices, Jews & the Tightening Gun Market

A 1p autograph letter signed in French by Charles Hummel, a well-known San Antonio gun dealer, as "C Hummel" at lower right. Written in San Antonio, Texas on April 18, 1855 on a single sheet of cream laid paper. Docketed by Soubie at upper left. Expected wear including moderate transmittal folds, uneven rubbing and discoloration. Else very good. 7.75" x 9." Accompanied by a handwritten French transcript and a typed English translation.

Charles Hummel wrote this letter to Armand Soubie (fl. 1852-1900), a gunsmith and fellow gun dealer.

Translated in full:

"San Antonio the 18th April 1855

Mr. Armand Soubie
Nw [New] Orleans

My dear Sir

I am in possession of your amicable favor dated the 21st of March concerning the price of slaves - I find that $1000 or 1200 is a little much for me -

I actually just came from the quarter & Paymaster to buy a draft of $600 for you - but I did not succeed [as] they have too much silver at present. I will thus wait until the first of May -

Have you already received the 12 Aruer [?] Pistols? There is a Jew here who sells Navy pistols for $25 - There are competitors everywhere; commerce is spoiled.

I have nothing else but to beseech you to receive the most friendly salutations from me & my wife.

C Hummel."

Soubie operated a gun shop on Chartres Street in New Orleans between the late 1830s - 1861, supplying Texas-bound and Western settlers with firearms, ammunition, and other accoutrements. Soubie also provided gun repair services. The Armand Soubie Papers, 1852-1900, can be found in the Southern Historical Collection of the Louis Round Wilson Special Collections Library of the University of North Carolina. This collection features about two dozen letters exchanged between Armand Soubie and Charles Hummel during this very time period, ca. 1854-1857.

Charles Hummel, of Charles Hummel & Sons on West Commerce Street in "San Antone," traded Army, Navy, and Colt guns. His Wild West clientele included gamblers, drinkers, vigilantes, and disgruntled lawmen like Ben Thompson, who gunned down Jack Harris in front of San Antonio's "Fatal Corner."

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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