Description
The travel letters written by the textile merchant John (Jack) McCaldin Loewenthal were written during his journeys to South America and the West Indies, where he was securing commercial contracts, whilst representing the firm “Moore and Weinberg”, Linen and Jute traders, based in Dundee and Belfast, in which his father Julius Loewenthal was a senior partner. The reason these letters survived for posterity is that he had specifically asked his mother to keep them as a record of his travels, for him to look back on after his return home to Belfast. The letters are a diary-like account of his travels and travel impressions, also containing little anecdotes, as well as more personal interactions with his mother to do with family and friends in Belfast and Dundee, as well as social chit chat. They were part of a regular correspondence between him and Jane.
Antonio Morales –
A fascinating insight into late 19th century life and commerce. Well-chosen illustrations complement lively letters that provide fascinating snapshots into the experiences of travel and trade across the Atlantic. This is not dry-as-dust political history, but a personal connection seen through the eyes of a witty and observant narrator. Highly recommended.