The commercialization of cork products at the beginning of the nineteenth century. The example of the firm Rafael Arxer, Son and Co.

Abstract

The Catalan industry of cork stoppers has been characterized by its emphasis on export since its inception in the eighteenth century. This paper analyzes the commercialization networks of cork stoppers and other cork products established by Catalan manufacturers at the beginning of nineteenth century, mainly through the commercial correspondence of the firm Rafael Arxer, Son and Co. In addition to describing the sales map of this company, emphasis is given to the symbiosis between the trade of stoppers and the rest of the foreign Catalan trade at the initial phases of the cork industry. Moreover, some of the challenges faced by exporters during that stage are illustrated, especially the problems related to the expansion of markets, the increase in the number of customers and the financing of trade on commission.