Artist Index: China

Photographer: William Saunders (1832-1892) and others. Views of China. 1870-1890. 10 albumen prints, some mounted to board (some buckling/foxing). Various sizes 18,2 x 26,8 cm and 22,2 x 27,5 cm (30,2 x 36,2 cm). Some captioned in ink below images on mount.

Aside from various portraits and genre scenes, this collection includes some attractive views of China, namely a view of the port of Shanghai seen from the German consulate, the great Pagoda in the Imperial Winter Garden in Beijing and Pazhou Pagoda in Guangzhou. Also includes five views of India and Japan mounted onto the versos of mounts. – Some handling marks/creases on prints, some scuff marks, some with fading in edges, otherwise in good condition.

Chinese Communist Party propaganda photographs. 1954-1964. 7 vintage gelatin silver press prints. Each 15,3 x 20,8 cm and vice versa. Captioned in lower margin of recto.

Chinese Communist Party (CCP) propaganda photographs from the 1950 and 60s were a powerful visual tool used to promote the CCP's ideology and leadership under Mao Zedong. These images portrayed CCP leaders as visionary and the Chinese people as devoted supporters of socialist ideals. These photographs played a crucial role in shaping public opinion, mobilizing the population for various campaigns, and projecting an image of China's progress and achievements to the world. – Some handling creases and smudge marks, otherwise in good condition.

Souvenir album of a German officer stationed in Tsingtau, China. Circa 1900. 69 vintage collodion paper prints. Most 9 x 12 cm and some larger. Mounted to boards (time-stained/soiled in edges), bound in contemporary black lacquer boards (some cracks, edges rubbed/chipped, leather spine restored) with decorative scene on front cover with mother of pearl inlay (several pieces missing).

This assortment features personal photographs taken by a German officer while stationed in China around 1900. The collection encompasses a diverse range of subjects, including scenic views of Qingtao (Tsingtao) and various locations, as well as depictions of German military life. Additionally, it in- cludes captivating snapshots of landscapes, barracks, railway stations, and military equipment, providing valuable insights into the historical context of the time. – Some prints faded, some surface scratches, otherwise many photos in good to very good condition.

Views of Hong Kong. 1890s.12 albumen prints. Each circa 22,5 x 29 cm and 19 x 27 cm (3). 9 mounted to board (warped), annotated in ink in German below image on mount.

Some surface scuffing, some faded, otherwise in good condition.

Photographer: John Thomson (1837-1921). On the deck of a traditonal Chinese junk. Circa 1869. Albumen print. 18 x 22 cm. Mounted to original board (slight foxing), titled in ink/pencil in German below image on mount.

Fading in upper/lower and right edge, some light surface scuff marks, otherwise in very good condition.

Industrial views of China. 1940s. 10 vintage gelatin silver prints. Various sizes, most circa 20 x 16 cm, some larger. Mounted to board (toned and some foxing).

Three photos in this lot show Sichuan's gas and salt wells. Both mineral resources were used together, with the gas fire being available for the salt evaporation plants. Around the conveyors one can see the settlements or the so-called "wheel and buffalo quarters". These animals used wooden wheels to transport the brine upwards, where it was evaporated in the "furnace quarters”. – Most in good to very good condition.

Photographer: John Thomson (1837-1921). "Entrance to Han-Quas Garden". 1869. Albumen print. 22,5 x 28 cm. Signed by the photographer in lower left in the negative. Mounted to original board (slight foxing), titled in ink in German below image on mount.

Slight fading in lower edge, some light surface scuff marks, a few spots in sky area, otherwise in very good condition.

Photographer/agency: Associated Press. Street life in Shanghai and one image of Nanking during the Second Sino-Japanese War. 1937-39. 6 vintage gelatin silver press prints. Most circa 20 x 14 cm and some larger. 2 with agency stamp and all with English press text label affixed to the verso.

The Second Sino-Japanese War was a military conflict fought primarily between the Republic of China and the Empire of Japan from July 7, 1937-September 2, 1945. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, when the USA entered the war, it was a scene of the Pacific War and thus part of the Second World War. One image shows foreign residents barricading their homes with sandbags to protect against flying shrapnel. – Some with traces of use, one photo with punch holes in left edge, otherwise in good condition.

(Sylvester Dutton (1824-1866) and Vincent Michaels (c. 1832-1864), attributed to). Vhampoa docks, near Hong Kong. 1860s. Albumen print. 20 x 25,5 cm. Mounted to original board (slight foxing), titled in ink in German below image on mount.

Some light surface scuff marks, light foxing in sky area, otherwise a strong print in very good condition.

Photographer: Thomas Child (1841-1898). Various views of the old Summer Palace in Beijing, including Marble Pagoda. 1875. 3 albumen prints. Each circa 18,5 x 24 cm and reverse. Mounted to thin card (buckled), annotated in pencil in English below image on mount.

All with foxing spots, Pagoda image with stronger spots, otherwise in good condition.

Lit.: Terry Bennett. History of Photography in China - Western Photographers - 1861-1879, Quaritch 2010, ill. p. 76.

Photographer: John Thomson (1837-1921). "Residents of Canton". 1869. Albumen print. 23 x 28 cm. Signed by the photographer in lower left in the negative. Mounted to original board (slight foxing), titled in ink in German below image on mount.

Slight fading in edges, some light surface scuff marks, otherwise in very good condition.

Photographer: John Thomson (1837-1921). "Junks on the Pearl River (Zhu Jiang) near Canton (Guangzhou)". 1869-70. Albumen print. 22 x 27,5 cm. Signed by the photographer in lower right in the negative. Mounted to original board (slight foxing), titled in ink in German below image on mount.

Slight fading in outer edges, some light surface scuff marks, otherwise in very good condition.

Lit.: Terry Bennett. History of Photography in China. Western Photographers 1861-1879. Quaritch 2010, ill. p. 228.

Photographer: John Thomson (1837-1921). Temple on a canal, Canton (?). 1869. Albumen print. 23,5 x 28 cm. Signed by the photographer in lower left in the negative. Mounted to original board (slight foxing), titled in ink in German below image on mount.

Slight fading in upper /lower edges, some light surface scuff marks, otherwise in very good condition.

Photographer: John Thomson (1837-1921). Family group, Hong Kong. Circa 1869. 2 albumen prints. Each circa 16 x 23 cm. Each mounted to original board (slight foxing), titled in ink/pencil in German below image on mount.

Some fading in edges, some light surface scuff marks, otherwise in very good condition.

Photographer: Thomas Child (1841-1898). Views of Beijing. 1876. 3 albumen prints. Each circa 17,5 x 24 cm. 2 signed and dated by the photographer in lower left in the negative, mounted to thin card (buckled), annotated in pencil in English below image on mount.

Two with light foxing, otherwise in good condition.

Lit.: Terry Bennett. History of Photography in China - Western Photographers - 1861-1879, Quaritch 2010, ill. p. 59.