Chinese Laundry Association Membership Certificate, San Francisco, 1949

Laundry Business

Manuscripts & Autographs

[Chinese-American] [Labor] Chinese Laundry Association, Inc. Membership Certificate. San Francisco, California: Chinese Laundry Association, Inc., Signed by both the Secretary and the President of the Chinese Laundry Association. Has an official circular blind-stamp stating "Incorporated May 17, 1949." Measures 8.5" x 11". An exceedingly rare surviving membership certificate issued by the Chinese Laundry Association, Inc. This official document is labeled No. 096, and certifies that Yee Kay was an active member of the association and entitled to the privileges and protections of its charter. Founded in response to the intense discrimination, labor exclusion, and municipal regulation that Chinese laundrymen faced, particularly under San Francisco's racially targeted health ordinances and business license regimes, the Chinese Laundry Association functioned as a protective labor organization. By the early 20th century, Chinese laundries had become synonymous with Chinese American labor identity, comprising the largest source of employment for Chinese men barred from other industries by racial prejudice, restrictive laws, and union exclusion. A rare artifact of Chinese American labor history and early 20th-century urban resistance to exclusion. Overall very good condition.

Item #21869

Price: $385.00