Set of six flags: French, Belgium, Italian, Union Jack, and two 48-star American flags. These flags decorated Mabel Brice’s home at 1320 Locust Street when she hosted the Queen of Belgium for tea. Mabel Brice Wheeler (1873-1965) volunteered in the Emergency Aid of Pennsylvania’s Belgium Relief Committee during the First World War. The Belgian Royal family toured the United States between September 23 and November 1919 to thank the American people for all of their help. King Albert and Queen Elisabeth of Belgium, along with their son Leopold, the Duke of Brabant, traveled to Philadelphia on October 27, 1919. They went to Independence Hall and the headquarters of the Belgian Relief Committee. The Queen had tea at the home of Mabel Brice while the King and Duke explored the shipyard at Hog Island. Ephraim and Mary Brice (Mabel’s parents) purchased the house in 1900, and Mabel lived there the rest of her life. The Library Company bought the residence in 1967., Found in the collection-from the Cassatt House.
Photograph depicting General John J. Pershing greeting women dressed as Allied nations at Independence Hall during the General's visit to Philadelphia on September 12, 1919. Shows Pershing, attired in uniform, smiling with his left hand out as he greets the women representing the Allied nations standing in the left. The women each hold large national flags on flagpoles. A woman, dressed as Britannia in a helmet and Union Jack dress, smiles at the General. In the left, partially obscured by a flag, is a woman attired in a floral print kimono representing Japan, who holds a Japanese flag. Mayor Thomas Smith walks behind the General holding his top hat in his right hand. Police officers stand in front of a crowd of spectators. General John Joseph Pershing (1860-1948) served as the commander of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) during World War One from 1917 to 1920. His visit to Philadelphia on September 12, 1919, included a parade, receiving a medal, planting a memorial tree, presenting colors to cadets at Wanamaker's store, visiting Independence Hall, and a speech at the Union League. Thomas B. Smith was the Mayor of Philadelphia from 1916 until 1920., Title supplied by cataloger., Date from manuscript note written on verso., See related: photo - unidentified - events - World War I [7066.Q.52-61].
Date
September 12, 1919
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department photo - unidentified - events - World War I [7066.Q.53]
