PBA Galleries

120 silver photographs, each mounted loose in corner slights on both sides of double-leaves, two per side. Typed captions affixed to the leaves beneath each image. Photographs are 6.8x10.8 cm (2¾x4¼"); album measures 11.5x29.5 cm (4½x11¾") cloth bound with string, a dragon and title "China" hand-drawn in silver on front cover.

Fascinating little album of photographs assembled by an amateur traveler, and evidently taken by him as well. The photographs are captivating, with temples, shrines, the Forbidden City, palaces, pagodas, bronze statues, Buddhas, the Great Wall, camels with their minders, weddings, funerals, street laborers, street restaurants, street vendors, a barber, a fortune teller, and more. There is a handwritten note affixed to the front pastedown which reveals something of the origin of the album: "Uncle Bill, - one of Auntie Suzie's many 'husbands' - I faintly remember him from when I was a small child... these are pictures he took on a tour of duty to China - pre-revolution when I was a kid - this was a treasure esp. since China was closed and even more unknown & mysterious. I did silver dragon & title much later (teens). Serena 12/93. Found the 3 pictures of Bill in Aunties stuff." One of the pictures of Bill has been mounted on the front pastedown next to the note - a fit young sailor.