Curcier (1 results)

Manuscript letter, 1 1/2 pages, quarto, on the letterhead of shipping brokers Constantin, Boisson & Co., Rochefort, addressedto Messieurs Curcier & Adet, Bordeaux, dated 21 May 1871; the letter concerns correspondence that has been received from Curcier & Adet's Melbourne office re. a claim for payment that has been made by Constantin, Boisson & Co. for cargo carried to Australia on theNotre Dame de la Providence; Constantin, Boisson & Co. explain that on 3 April 1870 they had paid 22,000 francs to hire the ship to transport goods (this ship had arrived at Melbourne from France in September 1870 and at Sydney in October, with a cargo of wine & spirits - the Australian shipping agents were Curcier, Hawke & Co.); original fold, very clean and legible. From Le Courrier Australien (1 Nov 1976): 'History of . . .CURCIER ADET & CO.PTY. LIMITED.This Company commenced business in Australia about the lime of thegold-rushes of the 1850's and there was a connection between those events.It's an interesting little story, woven round the history of Australiaitself.In the early fifties of last century GUSTAVE CURCIER, andEDOUARD ADET of Bordeaux, France, decided to join the thousands ofimmigrants then pouring into Victoria following the discovery of gold.As there was no regular shipping from France, they chartered a ship,loaded it with Bordeaux products (mainly Brandy) and set sail for Melbournein 1851.For these two young men, both still in their twenties it was intendedas a simple trading venture, but Australia claimed them. Both were to marryhere, Adet was to become Consul for France. Gustave Curçier set up a shippinghouse in Bordeaux, (still flourishing to-day as Adet Seward & Co.),with branches in the islands and Australian Capital cities. The Sydney officeopened in 1866 at 393 George Street.Gustave Curcier, elected to remain in Australia and confirmed his tieswith his adopted country by marrying an Australian girl, ElizabethSeward.To-day Curcier Adet & Co. Pty. Limited is now situated at 17 AtchisonStreet, ST. LEONARDS and managed by Mr. Walter Borsos and his charmingwife, Grace."Wally" comes from a family of vignerons of several generations; his great knowledge of Australian and European wines, makes him an expert inhis field.People come from far and wide to consult Wally on the choices ofvarious vintages.The "French" tradition of Curcier Adet is carried on, in the personof Monsieur Gérard C. Lefèbvre, working in association with the Company.Monsieur Lefèbvre is known to many French and Australian personalitiesas the former French Honorary Consul for Western Australia.Curcier Adet & Company, is far from being just a "Liquor Store", ithas an old world atmosphere, where the display of new and old vintagewines, spirits and liqueurs can be seen and appreciated by all.Beer is also available, including most Australian and imported lagers,also the famous Lowenbrau brand from Munich.A visit to Curcier Adet, will be a pleasurable and rewarding experienceto the connoisseur and the enthusiastic amateur alike.'.