Shows the front facade to one of the motion picture theaters built for Philadelphia motion picture entrepreneur Siegmund Lubin. The exterior of the theater is heavily decorated with architectural ornaments, predominately female figures. In the center, shows the ticket booth with a sign that reads, "Lubin's 5¢." There are four sets of double doors. Above the doors in the left is a sign reading, "Entrance to Theatre. Box Office" with a finger pointing left. An African American man, attired in a cap, a white collared shirt, tie, and suit jacket and pants, holds a broom and stands in between the first two sets of doors. A second broom leans against the wall beside him. In the left is a door that reads on the glass, "Filling's Wine Room." Adjacent building in the right has two visible signs, "Der Doo" and a partial view showing "Chinese" probably a Chinese restaurant. Der Doo (1874-1929?) emigrated from China to Baltimore in 1900. He opened Chinese restaurants in Baltimore and Washington, D.C. He served as president of the Chinese Reform Association, which sought to repress the opium trade., Title supplied by cataloger., Date inferred from content., Retrospective conversion record: original entry, with corrections.
Date
[ca. 1920]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department photo - unidentified - theatres [P.9260.450]
Watercolor showing a view of the ruins of the National Theatre built in 1837 at 824-836 Chestnut Street, which was razed by fire on July 5, 1854. Shows partial fragments of the brick walls left standing. A broadside or poster is pasted on a fragment of the brick wall in the center. Bricks and debris are visible on the ground. Partial view of unburnt adjacent building in the left and in the background. The fire also destroyed the neighboring Philadelphia Museum known as the Chinese Museum built circa 1836-1838 after the designs of Isaac Holden at Ninth and Sansom Streets. The museum served as an exhibition space including the display of Nathan Dunn's Chinese artifact collection, and as a concert, public meeting, and lecture space., Title and date from manuscript note on accompanying mount., Manuscript on the note reads "R.H. Wells" but is likely mistaken and probably should read "C.H. Wells" who created many sketches for Charles A. Poulson., Originally part of Poulson scrapbook of illustrations of Philadelphia.
Creator
Wells, C.H., (Charles H.), approximately 1832-1884, artist
Date
March 1857
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department *drawings & watercolors - Wells [P.8756.11]
