Lucas Haasis found a time capsule: A complete mercantile letter archive of the merchant Nicolaus Gottlieb Luetkens who lived in 18th century Hamburg. Luetkens travelled France between 1743-1745 in order to become a successful wholesale merchant. He succeeded in this undertaking via both shrewd business practice and proficient skills in the practice of letter writing.

Based on this unique discovery, in this microhistorical study Lucas Haasis examines the crucial steps and activities of a mercantile establishment phase, the typical letter practices of Early Modern merchants, and the practical principles of persuasion leading to success in the 18th century.

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»Overall the book demonstrates what it is possible to learn from an untouched archive by following the logic of contemporary merchants and staying close to sources, not only in their content but also in their materiality. Haasis reached a balance between, on the one hand, respecting the original material and, on the other, convincingly placing this material in the broader context of eighteenth century commercial culture and practices.«

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»A remarkable addition to business, economic and maritime history. Although not everyone will be convinced by its distinctive approach, the archival work provides a unique window into the world of an eighteenth-century wholesale merchant. Rather than relying on theoretical debates, Haasis eloquently shows the dilemmas, failures and successes encountered by a merchant.«

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»Eine methodisch höchst reflektierte und sehr gut lesbare, insbesondere aus medienhistorischer Sicht auf das in puncto Kaufmannskorrespondenzen bislang noch kaum beleuchtete ›Jahrhundert des Briefes‹ (Steinhausen) enorm ertragreiche, weiterführende Untersuchung.«

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»Overall the book demonstrates what it is possible to learn from an untouched archive by following the logic of contemporary merchants and staying close to sources, not only in their content but also in their materiality. Haasis reached a balance between, on the one hand, respecting the original material and, on the other, convincingly placing this material in the broader context of eighteenth century commercial culture and practices.«

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»A remarkable addition to business, economic and maritime history. Although not everyone will be convinced by its distinctive approach, the archival work provides a unique window into the world of an eighteenth-century wholesale merchant. Rather than relying on theoretical debates, Haasis eloquently shows the dilemmas, failures and successes encountered by a merchant.«