| Contributor | 
      Reading Engraving Co., printer. | 
   
   
       | 
      Summons, E.S., distributor. | 
   
   
       | 
      Ronalds & Johnson Co., former owner. | 
   
   
      | Title | 
      Reading's Sesqui-Centennial, Reading, Pa. Jubilee Week June 5th to 12th, 1898. 150th Anniverary. [graphic]. | 
   
   
      | Publisher | 
      [Reading, Pa.]: [Reading Engraving Co.] | 
   
   
      | Publisher | 
      PA. Reading. 1897 | 
   
   
      | Date | 
      [c1897] | 
   
   
      | Physical Description | 
      1 print: lithograph printed in blue ink; 10 x 17 cm. (4 x 6.75 in.) | 
   
   
      | Description | 
      Pictorial envelope designed by Sesqui-centennial committee members Samuel Dilbert, W. Morris Deischer and Howard L. Boas containing
         a menagerie of imagery bordering two vignettes. Vignettes depict a view of the Reading "Court House, 1782-1841" and a view
         captioned "1748" showing Native Americans near a teepee watching a traveling Conestoga wagon from across a river. Other images
         show a locomotive, factories, train shed, and a winged female allegorical figure holding a trumpet and bolt of lightning,
         probably representing progress. An anvil, gear, and angle rest at the figure's feet. Over 700, 000 envelopes were printed
         and distributed nationally. The sesqui-centennial celebration included band concerts; civic, firemen, and industrial parades;
         grand illuminations; fireworks; and an equestrian and bicycle day.
       | 
   
   
      | Notes | 
      Addressed in manuscript to: Ronalds & Johnson Co., 139 N. 7th St., Philadelphia, Pa. | 
   
   
       | 
      Printed in red ink on recto: Return to E. S. Summons' Plumbing & Heating Co., 209 N. 6th St., Reading, Pa. | 
   
   
       | 
      Ink-stamp postmark on verso: Received Philadelphia, PA Mar 31, 1898 6 30 PM. | 
   
   
       | 
      Publication information from Morton Luther Montgomery, History of Reading, Pennsylvania: and the anniversary proceedings of
         the sesquice-centennial, June 5-12, 1898 (1898).
       | 
   
   
       | 
      Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012. | 
   
   
       | 
      Gift of Helen Beitler and Estate of Helen Beitler. | 
   
   
      | Subject | 
      Courthouses -- Pennsylvania -- Reading. | 
   
   
       | 
      Indians of North America. | 
   
   
       | 
      Factories. | 
   
   
       | 
      Progress. | 
   
   
       | 
      Railroads. | 
   
   
      | Geographic subject | 
      Reading (Pa.) -- Centennial celebrations, etc. | 
   
   
      | Genre | 
      Pictorial envelopes -- 1890-1900. | 
   
   
       | 
      Lithographs -- 1890-1900. | 
   
   
      | Associated name | 
      Summons, E.S., distributor. | 
   
   
      | Provenance | 
      Ronalds & Johnson Co., former owner. | 
   
   
      | Location | 
      Library Company of Philadelphia| Print Department| Helen Beitler Graphic Ephemera Collection - Envelopes [P.2011.10.89] | 
   
   
      | Accession number | 
      P.2011.10.89 |