This Old Paper

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This letter dated November 24, 1942 is an order for planks of wood, sent from M. J. Tucker, a purchasing agent of the Stowe-Fuller Refractories Co., Akron Oh. (1100 Second National Building to be more precise), to W. B. Lightner of of Petersberg, Pa.

Refractory is a word used to describe substances that can withstand high heat, in this case different types of bricks.  The letterhead makes sense.

Looks like there is some palimpsest action going on on this paper.  One day it would be fun to learn the photo processing tricks to try to reveal some palimpsests.  Some maths were scrawled on the back as well.

Also want to note that the names were not blacked out in this case.  My policy is if it is 100+ years old, not necessary to black out names.  But, if it is less than 100 years old, black out individual names/addresses in case of: personal correspondence, information about a person’s family, or their identity as a consumer.  In a case like this it’s business-to-business and we could maybe assume that these gentlemen conducted themselves in a way that would include the possibility of scrutiny whether contemporary or later.  Anyway, here’s the text:

Dear Sir:

For our Alexandria, Pa. plant we require:

3000 ft. BM – 2″ plank, 12′ long – Sound, square edge green or dry oak

700 ft. ” – 8 x 8″ 12 and 14 ft. lenghths ”
500 ft. ” – 6 x 6″ 8 and 10 ft. lengths ”
500 ft. ” – 2 x 10″ 10 ft. long ”
450 ft. ” – 2 x 10″ 14 ft. long ”
15 pcs. – 2 x 6″ 10 ft. long ”
15 pcs. – 2 x 6″ 14 ft. long ”
6 pcs. – 3 x 12″ 12 ft. long ”
2000 ft. BM – 1 x 8 to 12″ wide, standard lengths Yellow or White Pine Sheathing

If you are in a position to furnish, kindly quote price per thousand feet delivered and tell us how soon delivery can be made.

Very truly yours,

MJ Tucker

Purchasing Agent

MJTucker/pe