First from France

One of the dozens of ships that crept through the fog into Manhattan's harbor last week was a French merchantman inbound from the Mediterranean. Stowed within her salt-stained hull were 6,000 cases of Hennessy brandy, 2,500 cases of Martell brandy, and four cases of Caron perfume. This was not a large shipment by prewar standards, but it was the first consignment of French luxury goods to arrive in the U.S. since 1940.

The news that the brandy was piled on the pier spread quickly. But the arrival of the French ship did not mark the resumption of a flourishing wine trade with France. The shipment had been four years en route to the U.S. Ready for shipment when trade with France was halted, the 8,504 cases were stored in Marseilles and left untouched by the Germans, who seemed to prefer champagne.

No importer could say when the next shipment of French goods could be expected. French inland transportation is crippled. And few ships have time to spare for luxury cargoes of wines and perfume.

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