1860 View of a Chinatown Laundry

8 x 9" woodblock slightly damaged upon inspection visible to face of primary image , still an insightful and rare view of street life as presented by the eastern media outlets of the period. Daily activities of washing are turned into a day of harassment for the launderer , with suspicion thrown at him , from within and outward and children pulling his Que as he burdens his load atop. the reference to the underground cribs through the lefthand scene is telling.