A Three Piece Grouping of Ephemera Relating to T. Walter and Sons, Livestock Farmers

A grouping of three items from T. Walter and Sons, livestock dealers from West Chester, PA. It dates from 1882 and contains a price list, descriptive circular, and a business letter to a client. The price list is single fold, double sided, printed on light blue paper and contains a brief description of each animal sold and their prices. The list includes Lincoln, Hampshiredown and Southdown sheep; Chester White, Yorkshire, and Berkshire Pigs; Imperial Pekin and Rouen Ducks; Light and Dark Brahmas and American Dominique Chickens, bronze turkeys, and scotch shepherd dogs. The backside list references from individuals who purchased stock from them in 1881. Single fold, double sided. Measures 8" x 5" (folded), 10" x 8" (unfolded). The descriptive circular's full title is "Descriptive Circular of Improved Stock: Sheep, Swine, Poultry and Shepherd Dogs Bred by T. Walter & Sons." This circular contains an in depth description of their livestock available for purchase along with seven (7) black and white illustrations of the animals. All animals listed on the price list also feature in the circular with two additions: White Holland Turkey and Plymouth Rock Chicken. Also included is information on seed corn that is available for purchase. There is a small section regarding the terms and conditions of the sales, such as the fact that they do ship C.O.D. to "reliable parties". Lastly there are nine pages of testimonials from past customers. Printer: F. S. Hickman. 24 pg. Printed wrappers with front decorative border. String binding. OCLC 0 (Aug. 2020). Measures 5 3/4" x 3 1/4". The last item in this collection is a business letter written on a Edward Walter's stationary. Edward was one of the sons in "T. Walter & Sons", and owned La Grange Farm, one of five farms owned by the company. The letter head has a light orange engraving of a pig at the top with Edward's information printed in black over it. The letter itself is dated May 15, 1882, and was sent to a S. Gordon, Esq. regarding the possible order of new pigs, especially pigs not related to ones Gordon had purchased two year prior. Apparently Gordon was having problems with this year's crop of piglets who were sick. Edward provides advice, guessing his pigs had 'thumps', and gives instructions on how to treat his current piglets and prevent it from happening again in the future. Measures 8 3/4" x 5 3/4" Townsend Walter was born on February 26, 1815 to a Quaker family in Kennett, PA. His parents were William Walter (1783-1872) and Margaret Lamborn (1788-1870). He had four siblings: Martha Walter Marshall (1817-1874), Robert L. Walter (1820-1903), William H. Walter (1823-1876), and Joseph S. Walter (1828-1878). He married Abigail W. Mercer (1815-1844) on December 15, 1836 in Kennett, PA, and had four children together: Samuel M. Walter (1837-1920), Edward T. Walter (1840-1926), Anna M. Walter (1842-1873), and Sharpless A. Walter. After Abigail's death, Townsend remarried his sister-in-law, Mary Ann Mercer (1827-1892), on May 7, 1846 and had an additional three children with his second wife: Caleb Mercer Walter (1852-1929), Charles Townsend Walter (1853-1920), Elizabeth Walter (1863-1937). Together with several of his sons (most likely at least Charles and Edward), Townsend ran a livestock company called T. Walter & Sons. Townsend was involved in local politics and supposedly was the first Republican elected to office in Chester County. He died on March 8, 1912 after a fall resulted in a broken hip which put stress on his heart. General wear. Letter folds on letter and price list. …