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Lightning Rod & Whaling Voyage Insurance Policies + Photographs Belonging Joseph Vera of New Bedford, MA

Joseph Vera, a Portuguese immigrant became a prominent business man in New Bedford, MA. In addition to owning a men's outfitting store, a rooming house, and a farm in Mattapoisett, was also heavily invested in the whaling industry.

New Bedford, MA: 1869-1873. A grouping of four items belonging to Joseph Vera, New Bedford, MA. The first is an insurance policy relating specifically to his home being destroyed by fire caused by lightening strikes. The policy is associated with the installation of a Cleveland Lightening Rod and its proper maintenance and use. A fine half-page vignette of a home being protected by the lightening rod adorns the 1869 policy. The second item, a policy with China Mutual Insurance Company for his whaling ship, Bark Orlando at and from Menado to continue wherever she may go on a whaling voyage with all the usual privileges until she returns to New Bedford, dated 1873. The last two items in this collection are a pair of photographs of Joseph Vera. The first photograph shows Vera sitting with a small dog in his lap and a young boy, presumably his son or grandson, sitting next to him. This photograph measures 4" x 2 1/2" and is mounted on a board. The second photograph appears to be a duplicate of the first, however it has been cropped and enlarged to just show Vera and the dog. It is also the mirror image of the first. It measures 6 3/4" x 6". Minor wear, light penciling on reverse of policy, corner chip on photo.

Commonplace items of the day for the affluent New Englander.

Price: $325.00

Item #27003109