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Title: Cathay Restaurant, 1221-23 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, Pa Music, dancing, broadcasting
Description: Interior view of the Cathay Restaurant located at 1221-1223 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia. Shows the view from the second-floor staircase, looking down at the main dining room on the first level and the balcony sections that flank the main stairway. Depicts on the first floor, a line of red tray holders for waitstaff in the left and rows of white table-clothed dining tables and chairs. On the balconies are additional rows of white table-clothed dining tables and chairs. The edges of the balcony are lined with different-colored figurine lamps with fringed shades. Colored paper lanterns and a chandelier hang from the ceiling. The Cathay restaurant, also called the Cathay Tea Garden, was a Chinese restaurant that had a large dance floor where musicians and bands played. They also broadcasted a live radio show. The restaurant closed in 1973., Title from item., Date inferred from medium and content., Numbered 95415 on verso., Sheet number: 112A03., Divided back.
Creator: Brightbill, George M., collector
Date: [ca. 1920]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Brightbill postcards [Hotels and Restaurants - Bingham through Green's - 112]

Title: South China Restaurant
Description: Clipping from a serial advertising the South China Restaurant located at 913 Race Street, Philadelphia and containing typography and pictorial elements. Includes Chinese characters and text promoting lunch and dinner at the restaurant. A black border surrounds the text., Title from item., Date inferred from content., Text printed on recto: Authentic Delicious Oriental Dishes, Luncheon 35¢ Dinner 50¢, Facilities for Parties; Modern and Pleasant. Phone--Mar. 9140., Gift of Linda Kimiko August.
Date: [ca. 1939]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department ephemera - advertisements - South [P.2023.27.5]

Title: Chinatown, Philadelphia, Pa. [900 block Race Street]
Description: View of Chinatown on the 900 block of Race Street in Philadelphia. In the right, shows the exterior of the Far East Chinese Restaurant at 907-909 Race Street built after the designs of Thomas Ustick Walter in ca. 1827 and later altered with 907 raised one story and 909 raised two stories. There are Chinese architectural details on the balcony and awning which reads, 907 Far East Chinese Cafe. A white man police officer and a white woman stand under the awning and face the viewer. Buildings extend on both sides of the street including another restaurant with a sign that reads, 917 Cafe. Men and women pedestrians walk on the sidewalks. The Far East Chinese Restaurant operated from circa 1906 to 1952., Title from item., Date inferred from medium and content., Divided back., Library Company copy has manuscript message and address written on verso and is postmarked, Philadelphia, Pa. Jul 13, 1911 4:30 P.M., Gift of Linda Kimiko August.
Date: [ca. 1911]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department LCP Postcards - Streets - Race [P.2023.27.2]

Title: Chinatown by moonlight Philadelphia, Pa. [900 block Race Street]
Description: View of Chinatown on the 900 block of Race Street in Philadelphia. In the right, shows the exterior of the Far East Chinese Restaurant at 907-909 Race Street built after the designs of Thomas Ustick Walter in ca. 1827 and later altered with 907 raised one story and 909 raised two stories. There are Chinese architectural details on the balcony and awning which reads, 907 Far East Chinese Cafe. A white man police officer and a white woman stand under the awning and face the viewer. Buildings extend on both sides of the street including another restaurant with a sign that reads, 917 Cafe. Light emanates through windows and from the signs on the buildings, and the moon shines from above. Men and women pedestrians walk on the sidewalks. The Far East Chinese Restaurant operated from circa 1906 to 1952., Title from item., Date inferred from medium and content., Divided back., Library Company copy has manuscript message and address written on verso and is postmarked, Philadelphia, Pa. Jul 17, 1915 1[0] A.M., Gift of Linda Kimiko August.
Date: [ca. 1915]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department LCP Postcards - Streets - Race [P.2023.27.3]

Title: Chinatown. Looking north on Hutchinson Street which dead ends into Race Street
Description: View from Hutchinson Street towards the 900 block of Race Street, Philadelphia. Shows in the foreground a partial view of a car and the buildings flanking Hutchinson Street. In the center, depicts an exterior view of the four-story building at 919-921 and the three-story building at 923 Race Street. Part of the sign for the Shanghai Garden Restaurant at 919 is visible. The neighboring business has a storefront glass window which reads, "Hong Tai & [Co.] 921 Chinese Good[s]" with a display of merchandise. The adjacent building reads, "Fook Lee Co. 923" on the storefront glass window, and a seated man is visible inside., Title and date from label on verso., Photographer's imprint stamped on verso: Photo by Phila. Inquirer, Oct. 2, 1955., Gift of Linda Kimiko August.
Creator: Irving, William, photographer
Date: Oct. 2, 1955
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department photo - Irving (Phila Inquirer) [P.2023.27.6]

Title: Catha y Tea Garden, 1221-23-25 Chestnut St., Philadelphia
Description: Menu for the Cathay Tea Garden located at 1221-1225 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia. The green and gold menu cover depicts a Chinese woman, attired in a dress and high-heeled shoes, raising her left hand to her chin as she faces the viewer. She stands on a balcony or bridge overlooking a landscape of trees and mountains under a moonlit sky. The menu is in English and organized by number in sections for “Wines and Liquors” (#1-167); “Chinese Menu” (#1-179); and “American Menu” (#181-383). The Chinese menu includes categories for chop suey, chow mein, Chinese omelettes, and a prix fixe “Table d’Hote” with three different options and prices from $1.25 to $2.50. The American menu includes categories for sea food, steaks, salads, and sandwiches. The restaurant advertises music, broadcasting, and dancing from 12 to 2:00 P.M., 6 to 8 P.M., and 10 to 1 A.M. with a note that “our patrons are requested to dance only with their escorts. This rule is for the protection of both you and us.” A one sheet insertion, decorated with a red border of bamboo, promotes three Table D’Hote dinners for Tuesday, August 17th for 85 cents, $1.10, and $1.35. The Cathay Tea Garden, also called the Cathay Restaurant, was a Chinese restaurant that had a large dance floor where musicians and bands played. They also broadcasted a live radio show. The restaurant closed in 1973., Title from item., Date inferred from content and active dates of business., Gift of Linda Kimiko August.
Date: [ca. 1930]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department *ephemera - Menus - C [P.2023.43.7]

Title: “T he Far East” Chinese Restaurant, Yuen Doon Low, 907 Race St. Phila, Pa. A refined first class restaurant
Description: Menu depicting an exterior view of the Far East Chinese Restaurant at 907-909 Race Street, Philadelphia built after the designs of Thomas Ustick Walter in ca. 1827 and later altered with 907 raised one story and 909 raised two stories. There are Chinese architectural details on the balcony and awning which reads, 907 Far East Chinese Cafe. The balconies are decorated with lanterns and plants. Two American flags and a Chinese Republic National Flag are on flagpoles on the restaurant. The cover has a border of bamboo plants. The menu is in English and organized with numbered dishes from 1 to 106 and “to avoid mistakes patrons are requested to order by number.” Categories are: “Soups”; “Chicken Specialties”; “Chop Suey”; “Boiled Soft Noodles”; “Beef Specialties”; “Pork Specialties”; “Chow Main”; “Omelettes and Eggs”; “Fried Rice”; “Sandwiches”; “Miscellaneous”; “Preserves, Cakes and Candies”; “Teas”; “Special Dishes”; and a prix fixe “Table d’Hote” with five different options and prices from 85 cents to $3 dollars per person. Menu notes that dining on the third floor incurs “an additional charge of five cents.” The menu also includes the hours of service and telephone number. The Far East Chinese Restaurant operated from circa 1906 to 1952., Title from item., Date inferred from content and active dates of the publisher., Gift of Linda Kimiko August.
Date: [ca. 1920]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department *ephemera - Menus - F [P.2023.27.4]

Title: A scene in the Golden Dragon, 1526 Market Street, Philadelphia's most beautiful restaurant
Description: Interior view of the Golden Dragon restaurant located at 1526 Market Street, Philadelphia and depicting the dining room crowded with patrons. Shows the large room filled with diners sitting at white table-clothed tables and standing in a row. The men and women, finely attired in suits, dresses, hats, and jewelry, look at the viewer. Plates of food and cups and glasses are visible on the tables. In the left, a Chinese man waiter, attired in a tuxedo, stands with probably menus under his arm. In the background, musicians, attired in tuxedos, are seated with musical instruments in front of a backdrop of peacock feathers. The dining room ceiling is decorated with multiple-colored fabrics. Charlie Kerr (1890-1976) was a jazz drummer and orchestra leader in the 1920s to the late 1940s., Title from item., Date inferred from medium and content., Text printed on verso: Philadelphia, Pa., 19[blank], Dear [blank], Greetings from the beautiful Golden Dragon, where I dined today. "Charlie" Kerr's Orchestra is great., Series no. on verso: 2690 N., See related: Brightbill postcards [Hotels and Restaurants - Bingham through Green's - 112] - sheet number 112B04., Sheet number: 112A05., Divided backs.
Creator: Brightbill, George M., collector
Date: [ca. 1925]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Brightbill postcards [Hotels and Restaurants - Bingham through Green's - 112]

Title: A scene in the Golden Dragon, 1526 Market Street, Philadelphia's most beautiful restaurant
Description: Interior view of the Golden Dragon restaurant located at 1526 Market Street, Philadelphia and depicting the dining room crowded with patrons. Shows the large room filled with diners sitting at white table-clothed tables and standing in a row. The men and women, finely attired in suits, dresses, hats, and jewelry, look at the viewer. Plates of food and cups and glasses are visible on the tables. In the left, a Chinese man waiter, attired in a tuxedo, stands with probably menus under his arm. In the background, musicians, attired in tuxedos, are seated with musical instruments in front of a backdrop of peacock feathers. The dining room ceiling is decorated with fabrics. Charlie Kerr (1890-1976) was a jazz drummer and orchestra leader in the 1920s to the late 1940s., Title from item., Date inferred from medium and content., Text printed on verso: Philadelphia, Pa., 19[blank], Dear [blank], Greetings from the beautiful Golden Dragon, where I dined today. "Charlie" Kerr's Orchestra is great., See related: Brightbill postcards [Hotels and Restaurants - Bingham through Green's - 112] - sheet number 112A05., Sheet number: 112B04., Divided backs.
Creator: Brightbill, George M., collector
Date: [ca. 1925]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Brightbill postcards [Hotels and Restaurants - Bingham through Green's - 112]

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