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M. & J. Tracy printed this card for the captains of its barges working New York Harbor. Each captain logged his boat’s location, arrival, and unloading progress, phoned the office once the cargo was off, and mailed the report to company headquarters at No. 1 Broadway.
The Tracy brothers started the business in 1881 hauling coal around the harbor by barge, then built a towing fleet that carried the family name, with vessels christened Thomas Tracy, Maurice Tracy, and John Tracy.
The family’s towing companies kept their books into the early 1980s, and those corporate minute books are now preserved at New York University.
Historical details are based on my own research into names, places, and postmarks. Buyers are encouraged to verify them independently.
Zoom in on photos as they are considered part of the description.
Under $20:Ships via USPS Standard Envelope in rigid mailer.Over $20:USPS Ground Advantage, full tracking, sturdy packaging, you only pay actual shipping costs.International:Untracked service by default for <$20 cards; tracked options for >$20.Options:Buyer can always choose alternative shipping methods at calculated cost.Note: Standard Envelope may showdeliveredat your post office, not your mailbox. Contact me if there\'s a delay of more than 5 business days past expected date.Happy collecting! Thanks for shopping Velvet Moon!
