Englishman Charles Louch (b. 1850) came to Seattle about 1883 and began selling fruits, tobacco, and groceries, eventually expanding to sausage and smoked meats. His signature 1888 Brand hams were popular locally and also a favorite of Klondike gold rush camps. Partnering with traveling food salesman Manuel Brock Augustine (1844-1922) in 1892, their business became well-known, and the men respected citizens. Mr. Louch sold his business interest in 1903 when he returned to England and Mr. Augustine partnered with Henry Anderson Kyer (1867-1944). The business continued for several decades as Augustine & Kyer, located in the upscale Colman Building in downtown Seattle.

The account invoice pictured here from Louch, Augustine & Co. is made out to John Collins and is printed with an image of the famous 1888 Brand ham. During the month of January 1901, Mr. Collins paid $0.90 for three dozen eggs and $1.00 for two quarts of "Best Claret." This object is one of several attributed to a collection from the family of John Collins (1835-1903), an Irish immigrant who moved to Seattle in 1867 and became a prominent investor, businessman, and Mayor of Seattle (1873-1874).

Caption information source: "Early-Day Mansions," The Seattle Sunday Times, November 12, 1944, p. 39.
Caption information source: "See a Seattle grocer during the Gold Rush and the Great Seattle Fire" by Paul Dorpat. Seattle Times, May 22, 2015.
Caption information source: "Aged Seattle Grocer Dies in Hospital," The Seattle DailyTimes, June 27, 1922, p. 1.
Caption information source: http://ba-kground.com/augustine-kyer-tradewell-grocery-part-1.