Collection of Early China Photographs

This world-class collection of approximately 6,000 photographs and photographic publications was compiled by a collector with deep knowledge of early Chinese photography to vividly depict the events and experiences of individuals across a wide spectrum of society in late Qing-Dynasty China. The collection’s geographical coverage also surpasses that of other known collections of early Chinese photography. The subject of the history of photography in China, which is increasingly attracting attention and research, is very well represented here, from seminal works by Itier, Thomson, Rossier, Tung Hing, and the Afong Studio as well as other important names of nineteenth-century Chinese photography, to works by lesser-researched Chinese studios and unidentified and amateur photographers. Some of these provide fascinating views of historical events such as the Boxer Rebellion and offer insights missed by those photographers more constrained by commercial imperatives. The Western traveller exploring nineteenth-century China is well represented here, including works by George Morrison and Byron Prideaux, among others. Many albums retain important historical provenance or associations with prominent figures of the period, such as the William Mercer album of John Thomson photographs. Other photographs emphasise portraits of famous Westerners and Chinese of the day. Other highlights of the collection include daguerreotypes from Jules Itier's 1844 visit; the only known photographs of Taiping military officers; the earliest known photographs of the Second Opium War taken in the late 1850s; John Thomson’s exceptionally rare photobook, Views on the North River (1870); some 45 albums; over 200 stereos, including the first commercial views of the country; approximately 250 cartes de visite and cabinet cards from nearly all of the early China-based studios; around 200 glass lantern slides, including a collection previously owned by John Claude White; a four-volume set of The China Magazine; and many multi-plate panoramas.