Post-WWII Letter from SHANGHAI Manufacturer trying to Renew Business in S.F. CHINATOWN

1946 TLS from LEE TONG & CO. "MANUFACTURERS & EXPORTERS OF CHINESE THINGS", SHANGHAI, CHINA - to MR. D. S. PUN "CITY OF CHINA", SAN FRANCISCO [Geary Street, CHINATOWN].

Single sheet letter typed on thin paper with letterhead, 8.5x11 inches, hand signed. The letter's envelope is included.

Condition: The letter is in GOOD condition, it has several folds where it was folded to fit into the envelope, and has light signs of handling and age, otherwise it is solid, clear and fully legible. The envelope has a large piece missing from its backside, creases from handling, and is toned, but the typed City of China / San Francisco address and the printed Lee Tong & Co. / Shanghai return address on the front side are bright and clear.

What I find most interesting about the letter is the part where Lee Tong talks about how good business was prior to WWII and how bad things are in China now (1946). He clearly hopes to rebuild his business with the help of U.S. import shops like The City Of China, and that by doing so he will help rebuild China. The full text of the letter, grammatically as written, follows:

********************************************** Shanghai, 5th April, 1946.

Messrs City of China,

440 Grant Avenue,

San Francisco, Calif. U.S.A.

Att. Mr. D. S. Pun

Dear sir,

We wish to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 5th March, which is highly interesting to us; attached herewith our price list, we hope it will meet your requirement.

We have pleasure to take this opportunity to introduce ourself to your goodself that we are the manufacturer of all kinds of embroideries, silk lingeries, robs, coats and also dealing all kinds of lace, linen, needle points, carved wood-war, black wood-ware, china-ware, rugs, antiques and any things Chinese. The writer has been an exporter and manufacturer for about thirty years in above lines. We had many connections in the main city of China. When the time of pre-war we had supplied to many department stores or jobbers in U.S.A. and as well as many other merchants in different countries. Any line which produces in China does not mention in above please do not be hasted to drop us a few lines if you are interesting in. We will be sure to inform you all the particulars by returned mail. For our bank reference we suggest you to enquire Chase Bank, Shanghai.

China was in war for so many years. People in this country are very poor. We need our overseas citizens to give us help to rebuild our country. Of course things are abnormal here, cost of living is so high and commodities are so in shortage that make the merchandise a little bit higher. It is a discouragement for the export business at present. However we hope our government in soon future uses double effort to abolish all our difficulties.

Thanking for your kind letter, hoping for your esteemed order and establishing our cooperation,

Yours very truly,

LEE TONG & CO. LEE TONG (Signed) **********************************************