"For" on 1909 A grade build card

[nico]

Hi folks,
I was wondering if anyone can shed any light on the name in the “for” on my 1909 A grade build card please?
It’s difficult to read, but could it be a store or dealer name that perhaps occurs on other cards?
Thanks for any help in the research!
Nico

[setterspell]

Watkins _______ ?

[nico]

Thanks, I think we're on the same track with "Watkins _____".
We've been trying to figure out the latter part; could perhaps be "Collander"??? Perhaps a retailer?
Will keep looking and post back as/when we get any leads.
Nick

[JasonPeck]

Just think no one will be able to read these cards in 100 years since they've stopped teaching cursive writing in schools.

[nico]

Just think no one will be able to read these cards in 100 years since they've stopped teaching cursive writing in schools.

[Researcher]

My best guess is Watkins & Cottrell Co., Richmond, Virginia.

[nico]

Watkins & Cottrell Co., Richmond, Virginia.... that fits perfectly, amazing! Thank you so much for your effort in adding the missing piece to this puzzle.
My wife's family lived in Richmond VA for some generations. Her great grandfather was a Captain in the confederate army, and was a church minister after the civil war. It was his son who would have purchased the AH Fox from Watkins & Cottrell Co. as he was a keen hunter and apparently had a collection of guns. According to the family, after he died "the good guns were sold", leaving only the AH Fox AE and a Remington Rolling block which we now have and cherish. I will have the privilege of hunting some of our fine local pheasant with the AE later this year, and providing I can acquire the necessary brass to handload rounds in .43 Spanish for the Remington, will be hunting boar with it in the fall.
Many many thanks again.
Nick

[nico]

Watkins Cottrell apparently had a 19 foot long shotgun as a trade sign outside their store:
https://www.richmond.com/discover-richm ... 6ad2c.html

[Jeff S]

That's a pretty interesting story and just adds a little nostalgia to the gun. Enjoy it.