1870s TRADE Card/PAVILION Hotel/CHARLESTON SC--Signed by WILLIAM A. COURTENAY

Description

Advertising business card (just under 2” by 3 ¼”) for the Pavilion Hotel in Charleston, South Carolina, with advertising on the back for William A. Courtenay, steamship agent, circa 1870s. The text printed on the front of the card reads Pavilion Hotel, Charleston. S.C., Rates… Per Day, G.T. Alford & Co., Proprietors. The Pavilion Hotel was located at the corner Meeting and Hassell Streets. The popular hotel changed names a couple of times before being demolished in 1957 (now the location of the King Charles Inn). The 1872 Charleston City Guide has an advertisement in it similar to this card, mentioning G.T. Alford & Co. George T. Alford (1836-1903) is buried in Magnolia Cemetery. The ink writing on the back of the card reads W.A. Courtenay, Esq., Agt. Steamer Georgia & South Carolina, Corner Queen & Bay Street. William A. Courtenay (1831-1908) was a Confederate Civil War veteran and prominent businessman in Charleston. He would serve as mayor from 1879 to 1887. He also established a textile manufacturing business in the village of Newry, South Carolina. Courtenay must have used this as a business card, perhaps having some tie to the Pavilion Hotel. The card is in only good condition with light to moderate wear and soiling. Note the wear at the corners and the dirt and stains. A nice little bit of South Carolina history!