More Rare Americana from the Past by David Lesser Antiquarian Books

Speaking of San Francisco, here is an item published in that city in 1890: The Church and Chinese Immigration. A Consideration of the Question: "What ought to be the Attitude of the Church and Christian People toward the Efforts made to Prevent the Coming of Chinese to this Country. With a title like that, you might expect author Charles Capp to take a sympathetic, "Christian" view toward Chinese immigrants. Wrong. In his introduction, Capp states that he does not "indulge in unreasonable denunciation of the Chinese," but only makes a "moderate statement," not describing "all their vices…but only such as are most prominent, and the result of their heathenism." Among those vices are "utter disregard of the health regulations common to all civilized communities," "indescribable filth and nastiness ("leprosy follows these people, or develops wherever they go")," and they practice polygamy, prostitution, bribery, and perjure themselves in court. How do they get away with this in our fair city? "There is no heathen fraud so vile that practicing American attorneys cannot be readily found, who, for money, will plan and arrange it so that it may be carried out effectually." Some things never change! Item 30. $375.

Item 134 is a stock certificate for the Philadelphia and Lancaster Turnpike. This was America's first toll road, and the first to be "paved" with stone and gravel. A private company was incorporated in 1792 to undertake this major project, which was completed in 1794. It cost the then enormous sum of $450,000 to build, running for 62 miles and opening up farming territory to easy transportation to urban markets. The Turnpike eventually became part of the Lincoln Highway, and today U.S. Route 30. This certificate was issued in 1795. $2,250.

This stuff must have been the original Orange Blossom Special. Item 115 is Beware of Fraudulent Imitations. The Famous Specific Orange Blossom. A Positive Cure for All Female Diseases. Every Lady Can Treat Herself. Prepared by J.A. McGill, M.D. Certainly you want to avoid the fraudulent imitations and go with the fraudulent original. Dr. McGill believed orange blossoms properly prepared could cure just about any issues women had, either that or he believed he could make lots of money convincing women of that. $125.

David M. Lesser Fine Antiquarian Books may be reached at 203-389-8111 or dmlesser@lesserbooks.com. Their website is www.lesserbooks.com.