PBA Galleries

Silver photograph. Photographer's imprint in the negative. 15.5x20.5 cm (6¼x8¼"), matted & framed under glass. 

Original photograph of San Francisco’s largest department store, in its new location on Post and Van Ness, shortly after the earthquake and fire of 1906. When the original Emporium, located on Market Street, was destroyed, the owners moved a temporary operation to the Italianate-style residence of one on its stockholders, Elias Hecht. A large expansion, as seen in this photograph, was built across the front of the house. This photograph shows the staff of the department store gathered in front. The firm operated from this temporary building until October 1908, when operation was moved back to its original, now rebuilt location. The signs on the facade boast “First to Rebuild” and “Took the Initiative in Restoring San Francisco.”