[ Autograph ] (Early Shipping) Interesting group of 26 documents relating to the shipping firm of Abram Bell & Company and their activities in the cotton trade, including 17 letters predominantly mailed to and from ships' captains, with the remainder of the documents comprising ship's manifests, lists of prices current, and bills of exchange. Most of the letters are rather lengthy, reflectingboth shipowner and captain's concerns about the need for a speedy passage and the rapidly shifting prices in the cotton market. An interesting insight into the era of tall ships. Very good.