Business: Bounty Barter

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In the fall of 1940, a letter in old-fashioned script arrived at the offices of Philadelphia's old (1856) tool firm, Fayette R. Plumb, Inc. "Please send me two of your small axes," requested the writer, "and if cost any more for it write and let me known as soon as possible what I owed to you . . . Trusting this find you in good condition ... I am your unknown true friend in Pitcairn Island." The letter was signed by Ivan E. Christian, a descendant of Fletcher Christian, leader of the mutiny on the Bounty.

Besides three well-worn dollar bills—which were not enough to pay for the axes—Ivan Christian had also enclosed some hand-painted souvenir leaves from the island. Because "the letter kind of appealed" to him, Plumb's Export Manager George R. Beck shipped the axes and thus opened a new account for the company's $250,000 annual export business. Christian soon ordered more axes and hammers for Pitcairn Islanders, paid for them by sending handmade baskets which Plumb's Cashier Elsie Hoffman obligingly sold to friends. After the island got some $75 worth of Plumb axes and hammers, Christian asked for pillowcases, sheets and other articles in exchange for his baskets; Mrs. Hoffman supplied them.

Last week, Cashier Hoffman got another letter from her friend on Pitcairn Island, saying that a new shipment of baskets was on the way. But Christian wanted no more sheets or pillowcases in exchange. This time, he asked, would she please send U.S. dollars?