Title: Two Autograph Letters from Walter Conwell to his sisters, written from San Francisco Author: Conwell, Walter Place: San Francisco Publisher: Date: March (or May?) 12 & 29, 1871 Description: 6 pp. and 4 pp., the first signed "Walter," the second unsigned, and possibly incomplete. 9¾x7¾. Two letters from a young man recently arrived in San Francisco from New England, the first to his sister Jennie, the other simply to my dear sister, perhaps a different one. The first letter is the most interesting. He has just completed his journey, and after describing the sea voyage (mostly how he fought the boredom), he gives his initial impressions of San Francisco: "Yesterday I took a horseback ride to the 'Presido' or U.S. Barracks, where the Spanish garrison of the ancient town was formerly stationed. It was a regular (California) summer afternoon: cold wind blowing the dust and sand in clouds... I wish you could see the Chinese: the most ludicrous race of beings! They congregate in a portion of the city contiguous to the most aristocratic, living in all their native squalor and vileness. The men may be seen all over the city, the lower orders carrying two baskets filled with trash, manure and offal clung to a pole and borne across the shoulders. This refuse is for the fertilizing of the Chinese gardens which exist on various unoccupied lots, where the Chinese raise crops of vegetables all the rear round by irrigation and fertilization, in the open air... Throughout 'Chinatown' as the Chinese quarter is termed business is carried on by the Celestials, some of them wealthy men having large and extensive establishments. In fact it is like a city of Oriental China transported into the midst of the West, the language, customs, and dress of the immigrants being preserved..." Lot Amendments Condition: Fine condition, quite legible. Item number: 206129
Title: Two Autograph Letters from Walter Conwell to his sisters, written from San Francisco Author: Conwell, Walter Place: San Francisco Publisher: Date: March (or May?) 12 & 29, 1871 Description: 6 pp. and 4 pp., the first signed "Walter," the second unsigned, and possibly incomplete. 9¾x7¾. Two letters from a young man recently arrived in San Francisco from New England, the first to his sister Jennie, the other simply to my dear sister, perhaps a different one. The first letter is the most interesting. He has just completed his journey, and after describing the sea voyage (mostly how he fought the boredom), he gives his initial impressions of San Francisco: "Yesterday I took a horseback ride to the 'Presido' or U.S. Barracks, where the Spanish garrison of the ancient town was formerly stationed. It was a regular (California) summer afternoon: cold wind blowing the dust and sand in clouds... I wish you could see the Chinese: the most ludicrous race of beings! They congregate in a portion of the city contiguous to the most aristocratic, living in all their native squalor and vileness. The men may be seen all over the city, the lower orders carrying two baskets filled with trash, manure and offal clung to a pole and borne across the shoulders. This refuse is for the fertilizing of the Chinese gardens which exist on various unoccupied lots, where the Chinese raise crops of vegetables all the rear round by irrigation and fertilization, in the open air... Throughout 'Chinatown' as the Chinese quarter is termed business is carried on by the Celestials, some of them wealthy men having large and extensive establishments. In fact it is like a city of Oriental China transported into the midst of the West, the language, customs, and dress of the immigrants being preserved..." Lot Amendments Condition: Fine condition, quite legible. Item number: 206129
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.jpg "Quelle: Christie's")
.jpg "Quelle: Christie's")
