A Street Scene in the Chinese Quarter of San Francisco Published in 1870
€ 220
Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)
Date
1870
Sheet size
40.5 × 29.5 cm (15.9 × 11.6 in)
Reference
BG-13839-10
What the condition grades mean
Excellent
Bright and clean, with no faults worth mentioning.
Very good
Only light signs of age, such as faint toning.
Good
Normal signs of age for a sheet of this period: toning, some foxing, small marks or neat old repairs.
Fair
Clear faults such as staining, tears or repairs, priced to match.
Every fault we see is written in the condition note, and the whole sheet is shown uncropped in the photos.
Condition
Good, given age. General age-related toning and/or occasional minor defects from handling. Minor foxing (small brown spots) can be seen in a few areas, but they do not detract from the overall image. Please study scans carefully.
About this sheet
A Street Scene in the Chinese Quarter of San Francisco- Published in The Days' Doings, November 26, 1870. This hand-colored engraving, published in The Days' Doings on November 26, 1870, presents a vibrant and detailed view of daily life in the Chinese Quarter (Chinatown) of San Francisco during the late 19th century. The scene captures the bustling atmosphere of a narrow street, lined with wooden buildings, hanging laundry, and small businesses serving the local Chinese community.
The foreground features a man carrying two large baskets of produce, balanced on a pole over his shoulders. Behind him, people are seen engaging in various activities—gathering in groups, walking along the street, and conversing on balconies. A wooden sign reading "Tong Wo Doctor" can be seen on the left, advertising a local Chinese medicine shop, while another sign for "Sam Lee, Sam Sing" is displayed above a bridge-like structure connecting two buildings.
The narrow street, laundry lines, and multi-story wooden buildings with balconies give the scene a distinctly urban and immigrant quarter feel, reflecting the growing Chinese immigrant community in San Francisco during this time. The engraving captures both the vibrant energy of this neighborhood and the cultural exchanges occurring in the rapidly expanding city.
About the Publication and Technique: The Days' Doings was a weekly illustrated newspaper that ran from 1870 to 1879, known for its sensationalist coverage of crime, scandals, and interesting stories from both America and Europe. It often depicted lively scenes from everyday life, such as this portrayal of San Francisco’s Chinatown, providing its audience with visual glimpses into different facets of society.
The engraving is produced using a wood engraving technique, where an image is carved into a block of wood for printing. Afterward, the image was hand-colored to add vibrancy to the bustling street scene. These prints were then mass-produced and circulated widely through publications like The Days' Doings.
