A Guide to the Stranger was the 19th-century equivalent of Trip Advisor - only, instead of rating restaurants and room service, it reviewed brothels. The document has generated buzz since it was posted online by its owner, the Library Company of Philadelphia. The Library Company is a research library founded in by Benjamin Franklin. It's open to anyone with a research project and also hosts exhibits throughout the year.
The Library Company houses more than , American historical documents - but some of these items are a lot more salacious than your high school history book. In addition to A Guide to the Stranger , the collection has more than city-specific street guides. Primarily published by doctors, these advised visitors on baseball schedules, popular attractions and what to do if you contracted a venereal disease or found yourself struggling with male impotence - all in one pocket-size book.
A Guide to the Stranger - author unknown - is a bit more focused in its mission. The guide, subtitled Pocket Companion for the Fancy, Containing a List of the Gay Houses and Ladies of Pleasure in the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection , helpfully distinguishes the finer adult establishments from the less-than-desirable ones. Keep in mind: Prostitution was legal when this book was circulated. Poorly rated businesses were marked with an "X. Hamilton's house at Locust St.
Other places had much more favorable reviews, like Miss Mary Blessington's house on Wood Street: "This young and beautiful creature is as snug a lump of flesh and blood as ever man pressed to his bosom. Feel free to insert joke here, Pennsylvania drivers. For those curious about the full text, keep in mind that some of its language may be misleading to the modern reader.
Rachel D'Agostino, curator of printed books at the Library Company, said mentions of "gay houses" don't imply homosexual prostitution but rather places of jovial - ahem - entertainment. They were available to rent by the hour and largely used by married people having affairs. D'Agostino said it's likely they were distributed in theaters, popular meeting spots for johns and prostitutes in the 19th century.
