George A. Klerlein and three men in front of cigar advertisement , circa 1928

Series I: Photographs consists of 21 black and white photographs. This series includes images of the exterior and interior of George A. Klerlein’s cigar store at 730 North Broadway Street, a portrait of Edward Sima, and photographs of Klerlein’s tobacco store at 1600 North Wolfe Street. The photographs of the Wolfe Street store depict its garden with tobacco plants; exterior views of the store with advertisements; interior view of the sales counter with confectionery, household, and tobacco products; and crowd scenes with possible clientele and neighbors. Six photographs were taken by Hazen G. Chamberlain and depict an automobile accident that occurred by the intersection of Wolfe and Federal Streets, in the proximity of George A. Klerlein’s store. These images show the aftermath of the collision, including the gathering of a crowd, the arrival of a police officer, and the towing of one of the involved vehicles. One photograph, believed to have been taken at Druid Hill Park, depicts a herd of grazing sheep and is of unknown relation to the larger collection.

Series II: Ephemera consists of an advertisement for “The Hall” located on North Broadway Street, a social gathering place for the local German community; George A. Klerlein’s business card, listing products at the Wolfe Street store; and a birth announcement for Ruth and Louis C. Klerlein, Jr., twin children of Klerlein’s brother, Louis Charles Klerlein (1879-1934).