JOHN WANAMAKER - MANUSCRIPT LETTER SIGNED 04/01/1874 - HFSID 78430

JOHN WANAMAKER
Wanamaker signed this letter in Philadelphia in 1874, asking an unidentified person to a meeting regarding "the Continental bill now before Congress".
Manuscript letter signed: "Jno Wanamaker", 1p, 3¾x6. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1874April 1. No address. In full: "Dear Sir At the request of a few prominent citizen a private conference will be held at Parlor 16 Continental Hotel at 4 ½ oclock to morrow [sic] Thursday for consultation upon private information relating to the Status of the Continental bill now before Congress. Your presence is particularly desired and urged Yours Very Truly". Wanamaker (1838-1922, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)was an American businessman who, in 1875, established the first department store, bringing a collection of specialty stores together under one roof in the former freight depot of the Pennsylvania Railroad in Philadelphia. Wanamaker, who was one of the first major retailers to employ advertising agencies to sell his goods, was also a leader in offering "fringe benefits" to his employees, who enjoyed paid vacations, health care, life insurance, pensions and financial aid for further education. As Postmaster General under President Benjamin Harrison (1889-1893), he issued the first commemorative stamps (over protests from Congress) and proved that they could be moneymakers. Lightly toned and creased. Lower left corner is missing. Docket on verso has bled though and shows through paper. Random ink stains. Folded once horizontally and vertically and unfolded. Docket and notations (unknown hand) on verso (no show through). Otherwise, fine condition.