> "The normal way of trading is to barter goods (or services) for
items of equal
> wealth, rather than selling them and accumulating the wealth."
HW:RiG p. 37.
>
> Wealth is produced by farms, herds, mines, distilleries, thievery,
beggary, and
> other such sources of income. Pelts and beads hardly qualify IMO.
>
> Julian Lord
BZZZT. Next contestant!
A quick re-read of the history of New France reveals that beads and pelts were highly useful and a major source of income for the powers-that-be. In fact, a rather long and protracted war lasting about 80 years was fought over the fur-trade in North America. The winners, the Hudson Bay Company, had profits of 300-500% on their goods. Both sides, as was so succinctly put earlier, "ripped each other off" and both made profits thereby. Worthless furs were traded for useful pots, metal knives and jewelry and tobacco. Or was it cheap manufactured goods were exchanged for valuable furs?
Jeff
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