Chinese Butcher and Grocery Shop, Chinatown, S. F. (3111)

San Francisco: Taber Photo, 1887. Ephemera. Fine. A terrific original albumen print of one of Taber's best-known images of Chinatown in San Francisco, a view of the open storefront of the Cheong Wo & Co. shop at 847 Dupont Street (at the corner of Washington Street).

In this image, three clerks stand at the front of the store; another person is seated in the background; and two more peer in a side window to watch the photographer. The front of the shop has produce on display; various kinds of meat hang in an open window.

This original print-from the glass plate negative-is not as dark as some versions of the image so part of the sign reading "...ong Wo & Co." is visible on the back wall of the store. In another view of this building, which was a favorite subject of Taber's, the store sign in English is visible above the door. This more intimate view does not include that part of the building.

The albumen photograph measures 9-3/8 by 7-7/16 inches and is captioned in the negative in a narrow strip along the bottom of the print. A terrific print, with excellent tonal range which reveals details of the interior of the shop that were often lost when the negative was printed darker. This is an unmounted print in fine condition.