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Building was finished in 1898.

The advertisement at the top reads Sander's Zeep, Eau deCologne The company is still in business: B.V. Koninklijke Zeep-, Eau de Cologne-en Parfumerieenfabriek v.h. Sanders & Co. and doing business as Royal Sanders with a line of perfume, etc. named for Vincent van Gogh. Also on the building is a sign reading "Quaker Oats." Today, see www.glasssteelandstone.com/BuildingDetail/229.php it carries a different advertisement. A quote from this page is: 'The White House is something of an architectural landmark in Europe. It is the continent's first skyscraper, built in 1898 for a pair of Rotterdam businessmen eager to show off their wealth. They commissioned, "a grand office building in the American spirit." This is the result: An 11-story, 147-foot structure in the French chateau style.'

Streetview: maps.google.com/maps?q=spaansekade+rotterdam&ll=51.91...

This conference ended the Russo-Japanese War. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Mayflower_(PY-1) "Recommissioned on 25 July 1905 with Commander Cameron McRae Winslow in command, she immediately sailed for Oyster Bay, Long Island, New York, to prepare for the peace conference which ended the Russo-Japanese War. President Roosevelt introduced the Russian and Japanese delegations on board Mayflower on 5 August. " See other LoC pictures of USS Mayflower www.flickr.com/photos/library_of_congress/2368283455/ www.flickr.com/photos/library_of_congress/2369117318/