Description: Hong Kong/China PhotographsAlbum of 48 loosely inserted 1920s/30s photographs. Locations include the Yangtze river, Hong Kong, Chongqing, Shantou & Hankou. Album contents: In pocket at rear of album:Post card sized photograph 86 x 136mm with following to rear: The Final 'Henry?' V Hong Kong Feb K.C.S.B. Pipe Band'. Envelope containing eleven circa 1931 photographs that document a ships navigation down the Yangtsze River, possibly the Yangtze Patrol gunboat 'HMS Falcon'. Includes photos of HMS Falcon and also HMS Peterel, which appears to have run aground* (please see end of description for information on both boats). These photographs measure 59 x 83 mm and have the following information written to the rear: 'Entering a rapid. Note the rough water. Also us making for the hill side. You can just see our turn, full speed ahead.' 'H.M.S. Falcon. Bows on.' 'The Gorges- And there must be a turn made very soon.' 'Here is a nice straight run.' 'This is a general view of the Yangtsze Gorges for 600 mile. Youi can just about see where we turn.' 'Whirlpools are very clear here. The centre a good three feet deep.' 'Going through a rapid. Note the whirlpools made by the swift current on the left.' 'H.M.S. Peterel. High and dry. This is not quite made from the tins.' 'The White Lady. H.M.S. Falcon.' 'H.M.S. Falcon at Chuncking. How's this for a good house boat.' 'Running close to the beach. One of the very few flat parts on the river.' Printed to front of envelope: Mee Cheung.PHOTOGRAPHERS.Ice House Street,HONGKONGTelephone No. 1013--- Other 37 photos: Twenty 6.5 x 10 cm photographs of a Chinese funeral. The photos are professionally produced and the subject matter of each photo corresponds to the accompanying leaflet 'A CHINESE FUNERAL' 15.5 x 19 cm. 17 original photos: '1929 Kirkaldy' [two people playing bowls]. 'Chinese Concert "Swatow" May 1928' (7.5 x 12.5 cm) 'Motor boat hit by a floating island' Hankow 1928' " 'Junk - Hong Kong Harbour' " 'Diving Belles China' 'Stonecutters Range April 1928' 'Fishing Net. Swatow' 'Swimming Party Stonecutters Hong Kong' 'Stokers Football Team Swatow 1928' 'Bank of China, Canteen Hankow, 1928' 'Isalnd Y.T.K. 1927 Yang-tse - Kiang' 'Golf Course 1927.Wei-Hai-Wei' 'Kui. Kiang. Yang-tse. Kiang' 'Inter: Export Co Nanking 1928' 'Motor Boat hit by floating island'Hankow 1928' --- Album measures 27.5 x 21.3 cm. Weighs 606 grams. Mock alligator skin paper covered album. Leaflet folded, foxed with tears to edges. Envelope discoloured and torn. Funeral photographs in very good condition, some of the original photos have been trimmed left & right. Light wear to album covers, else fine. --- HMS Falcon was a river gunboat of the Royal Navy built by Yarrow Shipbuilders in 1931 for the Yangtze Patrol. The main armament of the gunboat was a 3.7-inch howitzer, and the secondary armament was a QF 6 pounder Nordenfelt. For air defense, the gunboat is armed with ten machine guns that could also be used against surface targets. During World War II, HMS Falcon had to withdraw to the Chinese war time capital Chongqing, along with the retreating Chinese force to avoid being captured by the advancing Japanese invaders. In March 1941, the gunboat was paid off and her crew travelled overland to Yangon via the Burma Road and her guns were sent by elephants. The British decided to give the boat to Chinese as a gift, and Chinese in turn, began to train its own crew in preparation of the handover. Falcon was officially handed over to Chinese in February 1942, and in the following month, Falcon officially joined the Republic of China Navy (ROCN) and renamed as Yīng dé (Chinese: 英德). The gunboat served with ROCN until 30 November 1949, when the ROCN Riverine Flotilla commander defected to advancing communist force that blocked the Yangtze River, taking seven boats to the communist side, including Yīng dé. After joining the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), the gunboat was once again renamed, this time changed to Nan Chiang, and served until 1974 to its final retirement.--- HMS Peterel was a river gunboat built by Yarrow Shipbuilders at Scotstoun. After completion, she was dismantled and shipped to Hong Kong for re-assembly before being deployed for service on the China station, on the Yang Tse River to provide protection for British commerce and nationals. HMS Peterel was designed and equipped to patrol the upper reaches of the river (she had a shallow draft and her primary armament was a pair of 3-inch guns). HMS Peterel's service on the China station was largely uneventful. *The most notable event was that in 1930 she needed assistance by the French gunboat 'Doudart de Lagrée' after running aground in the Yangtze. As it is sometimes difficult to properly judge the look and condition of an item from the description and photos alone, please feel free to bid knowing that you can return the item post free if you are not entirely pleased with your purchase. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions.Combined shipping available at cost. Welsh Bridge Books & Collectables is a bricks and mortar shop located alongside the River Severn at Shrewsbury, in a beautiful 16th Century building housing three floors of interesting and eclectic books and collectables for sale. If you're in Shropshire please pop by and say hello! Thank you.
Price: 295 GBP
Location: Shrewsbury
End Time: 2024-10-11T10:16:19.000Z
Shipping Cost: 24.99 GBP
Product Images
Item Specifics
Return postage will be paid by: Seller
Returns Accepted: Returns Accepted
After receiving the item, your buyer should cancel the purchase within: 30 days
Unit of Sale: Single Piece
Antique: No
Signed: No
Material: Paper
Original/Licensed Reprint: Original
Framing: Unframed
Subject: China, Hong Kong
Vintage: Yes
Type: Photograph
Format: photograph
Year of Production: 1931
Image Colour: Black & White
Number of Photographs: 48
Theme: Architecture, Cities & Towns, Community Life, Conflicts & Wars, Continents & Countries, Cultures & Ethnicities, Domestic & Family Life, Events & Festivals, Famous Places, History, Maritime, Nature, Nautical, People, Politics, Social History, Topographical, Transportation, Travel, Travel & Transportation
Style: Documentary
Features: One of a Kind (OOAK)
Time Period Manufactured: 1925-1949
Production Technique: Gelatin Silver Print
Country/Region of Manufacture: Hong Kong
Finish: Glossy
