1880 India Bangalore Royal Artillery Mess (UK) Bordeaux cognac order

1880 letter from the Secretary of the  Royal Artillery (UK) Mess in Bangalore India sent to Adet Stewart, wine merchant in Bordeaux France, ordering a 1/4 cask of 10 year old Cognac.

Written on paper with blue embossed Royal Artillery logo 'UBIQUE'

Royal Artillery Mess
Bangalore India
17^th Feb 1880

Messrs Adet, Seward & CO Bordeaux

Gentlemen,

We have been favoured by a visit from your agent Ms. Harr Seward, and in consequence of his recommendation we beg to order 1 quarter cask of your No. 1 Cognac at 15/ a gallon. (10 years old) the same as you supply to the Officers Mess 3^rd Hussars

Kindly ley us hear when we may expect to receive the ¼ cask and make the consignment to our agent at Madras

Messrs Beeny & Co Madras

Believe me Yrs faithfully
Arthur Dunnall Captain R.A.
Hon. Secretary
R.A. Mess Bangalore

On back note by Bordeaux agent

1880 R.A. Mess Bangalore 17 fevrier
R. 12 mars

4 pages

18 x 11 cm

Royal Artillery in Bangalore, ca. 1880

 Bangalore Cantonment as an Artillery Station

• Bangalore Cantonment (1806–1881) was the largest British cantonment in South India.
• It explicitly included three artillery batteries among its permanent garrison components.
• The southern boundary of the cantonment was the AGRAM Maidan, whose name derives from Army Group Royal Artillery Maidan, indicating a long-standing artillery presence.

Adet‑Seward was one of the major Bordeaux wine and spirits trading houses of the late 19th century, active as high‑level négociants dealing in fine Bordeaux wines, Champagne, and brandy. Their operations in the 1880s were already well‑established, with international clientele—including London merchants—regularly ordering premium cuvées and aged brandies

• Laurent Édouard Adet (1829–1903)
  Bordeaux‑born wine merchant; active internationally, including in Australia.
• James Henry Ignatus Seward (1849–1914)
  Born in Melbourne; later settled in Bordeaux.

Establishment Timeline

• 1852 — Adet begins his wine‑merchant activity in Bordeaux.
• 1884 — Seward formally partners with Adet, forming Adet, Seward & Cie.