[GOLD RUSH] Circular announcing the opening of commission agencies in Sydney and Melbourne by the Boston firm of Newell, Hooper & Stevens. January, 1853.

Quarto-size letter sheet (250 x 200 mm), bifolium, lithograph printed on the first side only; headed ‘Boston, January 19, 1853’, the circular announces that Newell, Hooper & Stevens have formed a co-partnership ‘for the transaction of Commission Business, at SYDNEY AND MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA, and respectfully tender their services to their friends, with the assurance that all business entrusted to them shall have prompt personal attention. Andrew H. Newell, Samuel T. Hooper. Samuel Stevens, Jr.’; the notice has the printed information of the firm’s Boston agent, Wm. Lincoln, at the foot; centre pages blank; address panel completed in manuscript on the outer side, addressed to Josiah Hale Esq., New York, and with US postal markings; endorsed above the address in manuscript ‘Mr. Stevens, Sydney, Jan. 1853’; original folds, in fine condition.

Boston merchants Newell, Hooper & Stevens established their commission agent business in the Australian colonies in January 1853 in order to take advantage of the demand for American-produced goods which had increased dramatically at the onset of the gold rushes. With branches in both Sydney and Melbourne the partnership prospered until 1860, when it was taken over by Andrew Newell and became known as Newell & Co.