Authentic "Back of the Envelope" calculations
RogerB
Posts: 8,852 ✭✭✭✭✭
This a (fuzzy) image of calculations made on the back of an envelope. The numbers are related to problems the new NYAO was having in paying out gold bars versus gold coins at depositor demand. Here, someone was trying to split payments based on what kinds of gold were available and what had to be send to Philadelphia for coinage. The results seem to be incomplete -- maybe they are continued on another envelope somewhere.
PS: The envelope is shown upside down.
5
Comments
Cool that what would otherwise be considered “scrap paper” was saved
For many years it was common practice to write a response on the bottom of the original letter and mail it back to the sender.
Thanks @RogerB. This reminded me, of all things, of Einstein.
A note written, “A calm and modest life brings more happiness than the pursuit of success combined with constant restlessness,” made over $1.5 million at auction.
The archives hold many surprises... It makes me wonder what and how the 'archives' will look like 150 years from now.... all digital obviously... No penmanship or cryptic notes to be deciphered... Kind of sad to think of.... Cheers, RickO
It appears that when each technological innovation is commonly adopted, the content and quality of archival materials changes. With U.S. Mint documents my observation is that the overall depth of content is reduced when telephones came into daily use. This began with executive/officers and gradually moved down the chain of authority to transcription clerks. About 1920 the convention of mentioning the subject of discussion fades, and references to "our conversation of DDDD" becomes commonplace.
Introduction of typewriters, especially the Treasury mandate to use only typewritten letters in 1897, resulted in an increase in the word count of letters, but not necessarily any greater depth of information. Something as simple as carbon paper also produced a change in distribution of copies and "distribution lists" came into fashion.
OK -- I'm just wandering here.....