San Francisco Location Map Showing Points of Attraction [Chinese Silver Pagoda on Exhibition Tai Ping Company]

The Chinese Silver Pagoda – EVERYONE IS INVITED TO SEE IT!

This ephemeral leaflet was issued around 1950 to promote a massive pagoda, made of silver, on display at the Tai Ping Company in San Francisco’s Chinatown. According to the accompanying text, the gorgeous structure, electrically lit and weighing about 1,300 pounds, was ‘spirited out of Shanghai for safekeeping on the last ship to leave before the outbreak of the war.’ It was circulated through host sites across America as a way to raise funds for Chinese War Relief. From 1948 to 1950, the silver pagoda was viewable in San Francisco to commemorate California’s centennial years. A view of the masterpiece (apparently, it took 17 years to create) can be seen on the front cover, along with a handwritten date of June 1951. The back presents an interesting pictorial map of San Francisco that notes the primary locations of interest around the city, including Fleishhacker Pool, Mission Dolores, Alcatraz, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Golden Gate Park.