Sutro Baths (3 results)

Very Good condition. This is an original advertising broadside/poster for the Sutro Baths in San Francisco, one of the most famous leisure and amusement complexes in California history.

Condition: Very Good. Single leaf, red-brown color, some tears and small chips along the edges. Advertisement for a school children's "Play Day" at the Sutro Baths in San Francisco, which included bell ringing, acrobatic feats, dancing, and a special performance from the London Patomime and Comedy Company. The Sutro Baths (1896-1966) was a public saltwater swimming pool in San Francisco, built and owned by entrepreneur and former mayor of San Francisco Adolph Sutro, and heralded at its opening as the world's largest indoor swimming pool. Sutro's idea was to provide an inexpensive recreational swimming facility, mainly for the working class of San Francisco. In true progressive spirit, Sutro also included natural history exhibits at the entrance to the baths as an educational opportunity. However, due to their high maintenance and operating cost, the baths were eventually converted to an ice skating rink, and then sold in 1964 to property developers. A fire in 1966 destroyed what remained of the baths. Throughout its lifetime, the Sutro Baths were the setting for a handful of films, including two short films in 1897 by Thomas A. Edison and the 1958 American film noir, "The Lineup." This leaf was likely an early promotional piece for the Sutro Baths.

(SUTRO BATHS). Located in San Francisco, Sutro Baths was the largest indoor swimming venue in the world when it opened in March 1896. It was owned by San Francisco mayor Adolph Sutro (1830-1898). Sutro Baths burned to the ground in 1966.An advertisement for an August 30, 1896 swimming tournament at the newly-opened Sutro Baths in San Francisco. The headliner of the event was Charles Cavill (1870-1897), a member of the noted Australian Cavill family of champion swimmers. This was Cavills first American appearance; he would drown in California the following year. Prominent American swimmers were also featured. The poster is in good condition with several water stains and chipping to the margins.