VALPARAISO

The 71 letters total 160pp. (18pp., 4to; 128pp., 8vo; 14pp., 12mo), and are in excellent condition, on lightly aged paper, with most accompanied by stamped envelopes, which are addressed to 'W. L. Stanton Esq | Armscote | Stratford on Avon'. The first couple of letters are on letterheads of the Hotel Tivoli, 'Ancon, Canal Zone', with the others from 1912 headed 'Casilla [i.e. postbox] 1004, Valparaiso'; and those from 1913 onwards headed 'Las Salinas [Valparaiso]'. W. F.

12mo, 3 pp. In bifolium. Forty lines. Text clear and complete. Good, on lightly-aged paper. He cannot get her 'a good berth in the middle of he ship', but he recommends that she take a 'good side one near the Ladies Saloon which is aft'. He draws a diagram of the position of this berth, which is 'under offer' to her. He gives the number and price to Colon, Panama, and on to Valparaiso, Chile. He has written her letters of introduction, and offers his further services.

Four pages, 4to, minor defects, text complete and clear. Something of a stylist, he first describes the effects of a severe storm on his ship (out of Montevideo). They eventually arrived at Valparaiso, planning to load a "coasting cargo for Callao from there to go to the [Chinea?] Islands to load a cargo of guano". He hoped for a rest but the Spanish Admiral arrived on the 17th "in a splendid steal friggat[sic]". He ordered the Chilean authorities to salute his flag and then he would talk to them. They refused as the 18th was the anniversary of thier independence.