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Title: Kiriu Kosho Kuwaisha The first Japanese manufacturing and trading company
Description: Illustrated trade card promoting the Kiriu Kosho Kuwaisha, a Japanese manufacturing and trading company, and depicting two dragons with text in English and Japanese. Kiriu Kosho Kuwaisha was founded in 1873 and displayed their goods at the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia in 1876. The firm opened a branch in New York in 1877. The firm closed in 1891., Title from item., Date inferred from dates of operation of the advertising business., Text printed on recto: Bronzes, lacquered, pottery and porcelain wares. Tea, silk, curiosities and other Japanese manufactures. No. 16 Takekawacho, Tokio, Japan. English correspondents Alexandra Palace Park Co., Muswell Hill, London. Branch House Sumpya, Hong Kong. Austrian Agent, C. Torou, Wallzeille, No. 1, Vienna., Advertising text printed on verso: Our firm, Kiriu Kosho Kuwaisha, (The First Japanese Manufacturing and Trading Company,) is established for the purpose of encouraging the Japanese industries, and of promoting the greatest possible perfection therein. Kan Gio Rio, (the Bureau of Industry,) fully co-operates with our firm, and we are authorized by that Bureau to sell all the Teas they manufacture. Fancy and useful articles, of the finest as well as the cheapest quality, sold at the lowest possible prices, Wholesale and Retail. Orders by mail promptly attended to. (See other side.), Purchased with partial funds for the Visual Culture Program.
Date: [ca. 1876]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department trade card - Kiriu [P.2024.7]

Title: R. Totani, importer of Japanese goods, 127 S. Eleventh Street, Philadelphia, PA
Description: Envelope for Reachero Totani's Japanese goods business located at 127 South 11th Street, Philadelphia. Envelope for Totani's business with decorative lines bordering the left corner. Addressed to Mrs. Alfred G. Baker, 1818 Spruce St., City [ie. Philadelphia]. Postmarked Philadelphia, PA, 1893 and has a one-cent stamp with a portrait of Benjamin Franklin. Reachero Totani married a white woman named Elizabeth in 1889 in New York City and is listed in the 1891 New York directory as a clerk. He is listed in the Philadelphia directories from 1893 to 1895 with his business as "Japanese goods" and "china." In Philadelphia, he was also an active member of the Japanese Club, a dinner club comprised of Japanese men that met monthly. Henrietta Rush Fales Baker (1838-1897) married Alfred Gustavus Baker (1831-1892) in 1862. Alfred was president of the Franklin Fire Insurance Company and then became the director of the Southwark National Bank. When Henrietta died, she left an estate of two million dollars., Title from item., Date inferred postmark date.
Date: [ca. 1893]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department ephemera - envelopes - Totani [P.2025.60]

Title: [Scene on Atlantic City boardwalk near Lindley's baths]
Description: Scene depicting the busy Atlantic City boardwalk with many promenaders. Several businesses line the boardwalk including a photographic studio, Adams Bath Houses, Lindley's Baths, and Shimamura & Company. Through the glass storefront window at Shimamura & Co., numerous vases and framed works are visible. Men, women, and children promenaders include two African American girls attired in white dresses and hats; three women attired in Japanese kimono carry parasols and one carries a fan; members of a band; and a white boy carrying a sign for "Cleveland's Iron Pier." In the left, a large American flag flies. An observation tower with people is seen in the background. Shingo Shimamura, along with several Japanese partners including Y. Mayebara, and Takemura, opened Shimamura and Co. in 1888 at Tennessee Avenue and the Boardwalk, Atlantic City. The store sold Japanese art and decorative arts. In 1906, Shimamura opened another store at 579 Broadway, New York City., Title supplied by cataloger., Date inferred from attire of the people., Purchase 1989., Description revised 2022., Access points revised 2022., Part of digital collections catalog through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education through the Office of the Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Corbett, Governor, 2013-2014.
Date: [ca. 1895]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department photo - unidentified - Cities [P.9260.590]

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