peltry

Peltry is a historical term referring to the fur-bearing animal skins, or furs, that are prepared and traded for sale. The word is most often used to describe pelts collected by trappers and hunters and then sold to merchants or fur companies. In many contexts, peltry denotes the raw or minimally prepared skins intended for processing into marketable fur products.

Peltries come from a variety of fur-bearing species, including beaver, fox, otter, mink, muskrat, raccoon, sable, and lynx, among others. The designation focuses on the pelage as the valuable feature rather than the leather alone. Preparations may range from raw skins to skins that have been salted, stretched, dried, cured, or tanned to preserve fur and improve durability for trade and production.

Historically, the peltry trade was a major economic activity in several regions, especially during the colonial era in North America and parts of Europe. Peltries served as a primary commodity in exchange for goods and currency, influencing exploration, settlement, and Indigenous-European relations. Trading posts and companies organized seasonal trapping, collection, and transport of peltries to markets or ports.

In modern usage, peltry is largely encountered in historical, archaeological, or museum contexts and is less common in everyday language. When used today, the term generally refers to fur skins prepared for fur manufacturing or study, rather than to finished fur garments. Related topics include the fur trade, fur clothing, and methods of tanning and curing animal hides.