Advertisement depicting a view looking toward the rear of the busy store. Shows bookcases filled with texts mounted atop cabinets and drawers lining the walls. Stacks of books and eight busts of prominent literary figures, including Shakespeare, adorn the tops of the cases. A clerk works from within and patrons surround a U-shaped central book display that contains a "Gifts" case. Patrons include men, women, and children. The individuals receive assistance at the case, peruse books on the shelves, carry their purchases, converse, and make payment at the cashier booth. The booth, enclosed with ornate white iron work, contains advertising text that reads "A Gift with Each Book Sold at Retail Price." Store signage is also displayed on three banners stretching across the ceiling. Additional advertising text includes "Gift Book Sales Originated by G.G. Evans' 1854." View also shows a ladder leaning against a bookcase, chandeliers, and a parquet floor., Title from duplicate in private collection., Not in Wainwright., Inscription on recto: Nov. 18th 1864 from Horace [W.?] Smith., Philadelphia on Stone, POS 385, Historical Society of Pennsylvania: Bb 641 E 15, E. Sachse & Co. operated from the Sun Iron Building in 1859., Smith, a Philadelphia antiquarian and collector, was well connected to the literary and book collecting societies of Philadelphia and New York. He was the great grandson of William Smith, D.D., the first Provost of the College of Philadelphia, i.e., University of Pennsylvania., Trimmed.
Creator
Sachse, E. (Edward), artist
Date
[1859]
Location
Historical Society of Pennsylvania HSP Bb 641 E 15
