This vintage lithographic postcard features aa view of the Chinese Tuxedo Restaurant in New York City’s Chinatown. Note the people standing on the second floor balcony. They are likely employees of the restaurant. A shop below the restaurant has an awning advertising trunks & bags. Here is some history about the Chinese Tuxedo Restaurant. It opened it’s door in 1904 and was located at 2 Doyers Street. At the time, it was one of several upscale Chinese Restaurants capitalizing on the influx of non-Chinese tourists to Chinatown. The restaurant was decorated with elaborate chandeliers and other “exotic” accessories. The restaurant was well known for its ornate eagle crowned balcony. The restaurant closed it’s doors in the mid 1900’s. The text in the message section of this undivided back postcard states the following, “Uncle Jules & Aunt Aimee send kisses to their niece Marie Adele”. This message is dated 1906. The postcard was published by J. Koehler Publishing Company of New York City. Joseph Koehler (1842-1933) was a New York based lithographer, printer, and stationer active in the late 19th and early 20th century. He was born in France and was the son of a prominent physician. In fact his father was once Napleon Bonoparte’s personal physician. Koehler came to the US with his family at the age of four. He is credited with the invention of the “greeting card” in 1867. After inventing the greeting card, he built an extensive postcard and calling card business. Most of his cards were printed in Europe until the 1890’s when he established his own steam press operation in New York City. He retired sometime around 1914. A nearly identical card to this listed card can be seen in the collection of the Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) located in New York City.
This Cabinet Card is a portrait of what appears to be a British Army officer flanked by his two Chinese servants. The likely location of this photograph is China, but there is no geographic or photographic studio identifying information to be found on this Cabinet Card.
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 