The Popular Bookstore
of A. S. Fitch
A bookstore "trade card" of The Popular Bookstore of A. S. Fitch, 112 Baldwin Street, Elmira, New York. The card, approximately life size, shows "The Lone Fisherman" by "NBY." It served as an advertisement for the store. The owner was Lt. Arthur Smith Fitch (1844-1905), No. 5847.
During the Civil War, Arthur fought at Antietam, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Sherman’s Atlanta campaign and the March to the Sea. In the siege of Savannah, he was wounded in the leg. After the War, he formed a partnership, Fitch & Dumars , booksellers, and evidently also had his own store. He retired in 1889. In 1890, he was elected on the Republican ticket as County Clerk, serving until 1893. He later served as Postmaster, park commissioner, secretary of the Board of Education, and in several other commercial and civic posts.