1822 - Savannah’s First Hotel

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/30/2019

Cephas Grier Childs (1793-1871) Engraver and lithographer listed in the Phildelphia directory from 1818 through 1845. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and in 1822 was instrumental in forming the Washington Grays, serving as its Captain for some time. To the best of our knowledge, Childs' partnership with J.W. Carpenter was limited to 1822. In 1845, Childs abandoned engraving for newspaper work, becoming the editor of the Commercial Herald and the North American before finally publishing his own journal, the Philadelphia Commercial List. Engraving, 4-1/8 x 6-7/8”, c. 1822, an advertisement for The City Hotel, the first hotel in Savannah, Georgia, built in 1821 by Charleston native Elazer Early, operated by proprietor Oran Byrd. The text on the recto announces that, "This elegant establishment is entirely NEW with all its Furniture and other arrangements is in the center of Business and contiguous to the BANKS & c- The Post Office is attached to the Premises- all the Stages start from the door." In the border: "Mr. BYRD likewise keeps the CITY HOTEL, 75 East Bay, CHARLESTON, S.C." Three businesses are advertised on the verso including; R. Newcomb, Choice Wines & C, J. Shelman, Mansion House (both offering private rooms for families), and Joseph Trucheleet, a confectioner. This ad was printed in Shaw's United States Directory of 1823. The hotel hosted many notable guests and also operated as Savannah's post office and a bank. It closed in 1864, immediately preceding General Sherman's invasion of the city. The building survived to become a warehouse, a general storage facility and an office supply store before it was purchased and reopened as the Moon River Brewing Company in 1999. The building is known as a "hot spot" of paranormal activity and draws considerable tourism for its ghost lore. Slight edge wear, very minor marginal soiling, light, even toning, overall fine condition.

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