February 2024 Sports Card & Memorabilia Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/18/2024
Rare John Wanamaker Signed Letter from 1921 (he passed away in 1922). John Wanamaker (July 11, 1838 – December 12, 1922) was an American merchant and religious, civic and political figure, considered by some to be a proponent of advertising and a pioneer in marketing. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and served as U.S. Postmaster General during the term of U.S. President Benjamin Harrison from 1889 to 1893. In 1875, he purchased an abandoned railroad depot and converted it into a large store, called John Wanamaker & Co. "The Grand Depot". Wanamaker's is considered the first department store in Philadelphia and used his signature as their logo for decades (very similar to the signature on this letter). The "Wanamaker Building" is a large, 12-story granite store in Philadelphia, designed by famous Chicago architect Daniel H. Burnham and completed in 1910. It was dedicated by US President William Howard Taft on December 30, 1911. The store stands on the site of "The Grand Depot", encompassing an entire block at the corner of Thirteenth and Market Streets across from Philadelphia City Hall. The new store, The Wanamaker Building, which still stands today, became a Philadelphia institution.
Condition: VG
Rare John Wanamaker Signed Letter from 1921 (He Passed Away in 1922) - JSA Auction Letter
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