[Chinese Americana]

[Rate Table for Shipping Fresh Produce Throughout the United States, Printed in Chinese]

[Sacramento: Railway Express Agency, ca. 1910]. Broadside, 10 x 8 inches. Printed in gold. Slight creasing at top edge. In Chinese and English. Fine. Item #6396

An ephemeral survival, documenting aspects of Chinese agricultural production and transport in early 20th-century California. This broadside was issued by the Railway Express Agency of Sacramento, and provides shipping information for Chinese farmers in their own language. Operating out of the Southern Pacific Terminal at Fifth and I Streets in downtown Sacramento, the agency offered its services in shipping fresh vegetables and produce to a variety of destinations, to San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Utah in the West, and all the way to Chicago, Washington, D.C., and New York. Shipping charges were based on weight, and base and incremental shipping rates are provided here. A notice in translation reads: "This company operates every day except Sundays. There are daily trains to the above major cities. Fresh vegetables and produce may be shipped. Charges are reasonable. Please consign goods at this station. Additional cartage fees may apply. Goods will be delivered to the destination. Upon arrival, notice will be given." A fine and attractive example, printed in gold, of direct market to Chinese businesses in California during the early 20th century.

Price: $1,750.00