13.00 -14.00 Room MC 418

Welcome and lunch

14.00 - 14.30 Room MC 418

Miki Sugiura, visiting University of Amsterdam

Migration, specialization and formation of middlemen in domestic distribution. The "wijnkopers" (domestic wine wholesalers) in Amsterdam 1580-1750

Abstract

14.45 - 15.15 Room MC 418

Margrit Schulte Beerbühl , Heinrich Heine Universität

Connecting Webs: The German merchant community in eighteenth-century London

Abstract

15.15 - 15.45 Room MC 418

Coffee

15.45 - 16.15 Room MC 418

Nicholas J. Evans, University of Aberdeen 

The Business of Shipping Migrants, 1830-1930

Abstract

Miki Sugiura, visiting University of Amsterdam

Migration, specialization and formation of middlemen in domestic distribution. The “wijnkopers (domestic wine wholesalers) in Amsterdam 1580-1750

E-mail: mikisug@hotmail.com

The theme of this presentation is what role migration played in the formation of middlemen in the inland distribution of early modern distribution center Amsterdam. First I will demonstrate the different characteristics of the merchants divisions of function in the Dutch distribution system compared to England. The central issue is the advanced degree of specialization by commodities in the Netherlands.Next I will pick up the most successful and increasing specialized merchants in the inland distribution,  namely “wijnkopers”. Wijnkopers were regulated to be the middlemen between wine importer and retailer. Nevertheless they could grow rapidly as merchants with independent capital enhancing interregional and domestic trade by their own; thus contributing to strengthening the distributive function of Amsterdam. By comparing wijnkopers’ migration pattern with those of international traders and other commercial and non-commercial occupations, I will attempt to see what role migration played in different layers of commerce of an early modern distribution centre.

Margrit Schulte Beerbühl , Heinrich Heine Universität

Connecting Webs: The German merchant community in eighteenth-century London

E-mail: M.Schulte.Be@online.de

Historiography on German merchants in England has so far largely focused on the famous few among them, i.e. the Rothchilds or Barings. Already in the eighteenth century German merchants constituted the big majority among the foreign overseas merchants in England. This paper will focus on the forgotten majority and give an overview over their numbers, their geographical as well as social origin and the structure and scope of their commercial networks within and beyond the Empire.

Nicholas J. Evans, University of Aberdeen 

The Business of Shipping Migrants, 1830-1930

Email: n.evans@abdn.ac.uk

During the nineteenth and twentieth centuries Britain played a crucial role in the business of passenger shipping.  Whether destined for Britain, the United States or the far flung corners of the British Empire the movement of 'aliens' brought great wealth to Britain's shipping companies. This paper seeks to examine the way British companies profited through the employment of immigrants as agents, translators and lodging-house keepers. In particular it will detail the role played by Irish, German and Russian migrants in the business of shipping migrants to, through or from Britain between 1830 and 1930. Without the use of such migrants it is doubtful whether Britain could have retained the lead role in this highly competitive aspect of Britain's seaborne commerce.