House of Black & Co.

Merchant house in Copenhagen (VMM)

Possibly established by Blach, Christian Schaarup (?-1781) (Gold: Women in Late 18th-Century Luxury trade, 2014)

Black & Co. clearly had close ties to most other Copenhagen merchants and merchant houses (VMM) In the accounts of Ryberg, Niels for example, there is evidence of money going back and forth between the two businesses (Landsarkivet for Fyn: QB024. Frederiksgave Gods. 1765-1819. Etatsråd Rybergs private regnskab og industri foretagender. 1765-1819. 134) (VMM)

Likely that there is a connection to a Blach, Ole who was listed as a merchant in the 1728 register of Copenhagen inhabitants made upon the fire the same year. In this register, Kløcker, Herman Lengerken is listed as being Ole Blach's tenant. Ole Blach has two further male tenants, and the household comprises a total of 29 people http://www.hist.uib.no/kbh1728/ (?)

Later the name of the company is referred to as Black's widow, which refers to Black, Johanne Wadum (?-1800). She remarried in 1783, to Erichsen, Erich (31.3.1752-7.1.1837) who continued the company Blacks Enke & Co. even after Johanne's death.

Timeline

1797: Owned a total of 13 ships of a total of 1.422 kommercelæster (BioLek III)

1800: The onset of troubles for Black & Co.

It was allegedly the quick-witted nature and talent for trade which ensured that Erichsen was able to marry Blach's widow. He led the merchant house on to be truly one the largest and most affluent in Copenhagen, see Black & Co. (BioLek III) For many years, Erichsen had his brother as his companion in the company as well as his sons (?) but especially the son's taste for luxury meant that they brought the company to ruin upon Erichsen's death (BioLek III)