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Original 1885 John A. Roebling’s Sons Company Business OrderOffered is an original handwritten business order form from The John A. Roebling’s Sons Company, the renowned American manufacturer of iron, steel, and copper wire rope founded by the family of legendary engineer John A. Roebling, designer of the Brooklyn Bridge.Date: February 24, 1885This original document is completed in period ink on an engraved Roebling order form and records a substantial commercial order for approximately 30,000 feet of #6 wire rope and 3,000 feet of #8 wire rope, with a total value of approximately $1,080.00.⸻Historical SignificanceThe document bears the notation:“Ship to W. R. Storrs, Scranton, Pa.”William R. Storrs is believed to be the prominent Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad executive whose name was given to the famous Storrs Colliery in Scranton, Pennsylvania. During this period, Roebling wire rope was widely used throughout the anthracite coal industry for mine hoists, incline planes, breakers, derricks, and heavy industrial machinery.The decorative company letterhead itself advertises Roebling wire rope for:* Mining
* Suspension Bridges
* Inclined Planes
* Ship Rigging
* Heavy Hoisting
* Derricks
* Cranes
* Saw Mills
* Telegraph Wire
* Industrial Applications⸻Research OpportunityThis document offers an exciting opportunity for further historical research.The shipment destination to W. R. Storrs of Scranton, Pennsylvania, combined with the large quantity of industrial wire rope ordered, strongly suggests a connection to the anthracite coal industry. However, the exact project or mine has not been definitively identified.Future research through the surviving John A. Roebling’s Sons Company business records, Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad archives, or Pennsylvania mining records may reveal the specific mine, colliery, or industrial project associated with this order.For collectors, historians, or institutions interested in industrial history, this represents an outstanding research opportunity with the potential to establish even stronger provenance.⸻Condition* Original 1885 document
* Original handwritten ink entries
* Attractive engraved Roebling letterhead
* Light age toning and expected handling wear consistent with age
* Professionally framed
* Please review all photographs carefully, as they are part of the description.⸻A Wonderful Piece of American Industrial HistoryAn exceptional original artifact from one of America’s greatest engineering companies. Ideal for collectors of:* John A. Roebling
* Brooklyn Bridge
* Pennsylvania Anthracite Coal Mining
* Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad
* Industrial History
* Engineering
* Railroadiana
* Antique Business Documents
* Historical EphemeraGuaranteed original.Please feel free to contact me with any questions or requests for additional photographs.This document has not been submitted for research. It would be a great candidate to spend more time on.
