Subject: Philadelphia (Pa.)--Industries

Billhead of Neafie & Levy Ship & Engine Building Co., Philadelphia, PA. Neafie & Levy was one of the earliest iron shipbuilders and the chief rival to William Cramp in 19th-century Philadelphia. In 1844, Thomas Reaney, Jacob Neafie and William Smith formed a partnership to build fire engines, boilers and stationary steam engines. That same year, they launched four iron steamboats for export to South America. Smith died in 1845, and Capt. John P. Levy joined the firm. In 1859, Reaney left the firm. Neafie & Levy operated until 1907. The shipyard was located in the Kensington section of Philadelphia, on land now occupied by a Philadelphia Electric power plant.

A letter dated October 8, 1872, from Jacob Neafie and John P. Levy of Neafie & Levy Ship & Engine Building Co. in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, regarding a claim from the Navy concerning poor rivets on a ship. The letter features the company's letterhead and an illustration of a ship's engine on the reverse.

A deck of 52 playing cards and a bezique counter dial, manufactured circa 1860 in Philadelphia by Samuel Hart & Co. The deck is part of a larger history of playing card manufacturing in the United States, notably the innovations of Lewis I. Cohen and the formation of the New York Consolidated Card Company. The included description references a text, likely "Philadelphia and its manufactures", which describes the extensive operations of Samuel Hart & Co. in 1857, highlighting their use of machinery and high production volume of playing cards.

Trade card advertising Adolph Birgfeld, successor to E. N. Scherr, manufacturer of grand, square, and upright pianos, located at 139 South Seventh Street, corner of Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The card is undated, but based on the style it is likely from the late 19th century.