Page:Hill's manual of social and business forms.djvu/130

This page needs to be proofread.
88
FORMS OF BUSINESS LETTERS.

blished, style of binding, price at which it is advertised, etc. Thus, a careless person, ordering of Harper & Brothers a United States History, will say, "Send me a United States History." Of course the first query of the shipping-clerk is, "Whose history?" There are many histories of the United States, published by as many different authors, and the clerk is liable to send the one not wanted; in which case the person ordering is very likely to unjustly blame Harper & Brothers.

If the writer should say, "Send me a copy of Willard's History of the United States, by Emma Willard, published by A. 8. Barnes & Co., bound in cloth," there would be no liability to mistake. The following will serve as sample forms:


Form of Letter Ordering Books.

Rockford, Ill., March 1, 18—.
Messrs. Jansen, McClurg & Co.,
Chicago, Il.

Dear Sirs:
Enclosed find draft for $48.75, for which please send, by American Express,

10 Tennyson’s Poems. Published by Harper & Bros. $1.25 $12.50
10 Published by Harper & Bros. 1.50 15.00
10 Literature and Art, by M. Fuller. Published by Fowler & Wells. 1.00 10.00
5 Getting on in the World, Mathews. S.C. Griggs & Co. 2.25 11.25
  $48.75

Thanking you for the promptitude with which you have filled my orders heretofore, I am,

Very Respectfully,

CASH DOWN.

Form of an Order to a Dry-Goods Merchant.

April 5, 18—.
Messrs. A. T. Stewart & Co.,
New York.

Dear Sirs:
Enclosed find Post Office Order for $25, for which please send, by American Express, the following goods:

2 Lancaster Table Spreads ($3.50), $7.00
4 prs. Alexandre Kid Gloves ($2.50), No. 6½, Brown, Green, Yellow, Black, 10.00
8 yds. Calico, Brown, with small figure (25c.), 2.00
12 yds, Calico, white with small pink dot 25c. 3.00
2 Linen Handkerchiefs (50c.), 1.00
4 prs. Ladies' Cotton Hose (50c.), No. 9, 2.00
  $25.00

Direct to

Mrs. MARY WILSON,
Elkhart, Ind.


From a Young Man Commencing Business, to a Wholesale House, with Order.

Racine, Wis., Aug. 10, 18—.

Messrs. Field, Leiter & Co.
Chicago, Ill.

Dear Sirs:
Having recently commenced business for myself, with fair prospects of success, I shall be pleased to open an account with your house, and trust it will be to our mutual advantage. Should you think favorably of the matter, you will please fill the accompanying order with the least possible delay, and on your best terms.

For testimonials, I refer you to Carson, Pirie, Scott & Co., of your city, by whom I have been, until recently, employed; but, as this is my first transaction with your house, upon forwarding me an invoice of goods, and deducting your usual discount for cash, I will remit a sight draft on the First National Bank of your city, for the amount, by return mail. Expecting your usual prompt attention, I am,

Yours Respectfully,

HENRY MAYNARD.

Reply from Wholesale House, with Invoice.

Cuicaco, Aug. 12, 18—.
Mr. Henry Maynard,
Racine, Wis.

Dear Sir:
We take pleasure in sending this day, by your order, the enclosed invoice of goods, amounting to $1,400, subject to 5 per cent discount for prompt cash.

Your references being entirely satisfactory, we have no hesitation in opening an account and allowing you our best terms. Trusting that the goods, which are shipped by express, will arrive safely and meet your favor, we are,

Yours Truly,

FIELD, LEITER & CO.

Requesting Information Concerning the Opening of a Store.

Boston, Mass., Sept. 18, 18—.
Chas. H. Williams, Esq.,
Bennington, Vt.

Dear Sir:
My partner and myself being desirous of establishing a branch store in the clothing trade, I take the privilege of a friend in asking you to send me the number of clothing stores already in your village, and such other information as may be necessary, concerning the feasibility of establishing our business in your place. An early reply will greatly oblige,

Yours, Very Truly,

WM. B. HOPKINS.

Answer to the Foregoing.

Bennginton, V., Sept. 20, 18—.
Mr. Wm. B. Hopkins,
Boston, Mass.

Dear Sir:
I have taken occasion to enquire in relation to the extent and number of clothing stores in this place, and am happy to inform you that, while that department of trade is very fairly represented, there seems to be a good opening for a first-class store, such as your house would undoubtedly establish.

There is also a large store just vacated, in the center of the village, one of the best locations in the town, which can be had at reasonable rent. Hoping that you may carry out your design of locating here, and trusting that you may realize your expectations, I am,

Yours Truly,

CHAS. H. WILLIAMS.