Hong Kong after the typhoon of 1906Album II · Contemporary caption: “After typhoon 1906”. Damage to waterfront structures.S.S. Hankow after the 1906 fireAlbum I · Original caption identifies the steamer after the October 1906 fire.Taikoo Dockyard under constructionAlbum II · Photographic view captioned “Taikoo Dock”, circa 1906–1907.Cocos (Keeling) Islands — telegraph station and maritime viewsAlbum II · Views associated with the first cable station and the cable-ship routes.Japan — traditional temple architectureAlbum I · A traditional Japanese building in its landscape setting.Japan — historic garden and stone lanternAlbum I · Historic Japanese landscape and garden architecture.Japan — small arched bridge in a gardenAlbum I · Period garden view and traditional bridge.Hong Kong — monumental Goliath craneAlbum I · Industrial shipyard machinery documented in a period photograph.East Asian maritime life — junks and sailing vesselsAlbum III · Original album spread showing traditional craft and coastal views.
An exceptional collection of three early twentieth-century photographic albums containing 213 original period photographs, documenting maritime, industrial and social history across East Asia and the Indian Ocean.
The collection brings together photographs of Hong Kong's developing dockyards, major maritime disasters, British cable ships, early submarine telegraph infrastructure, traditional Chinese vessels, Japanese temples and gardens, and everyday life in expatriate communities.
Dimensions
Measurements available on request
Period
principally c. 1900–1909
Contents
Three original photographic albums, 213 period photographs
Sale
One intact, indivisible collection
Condition
Please consult the photographs for condition. Additional photographs are available on request.
Photographs reproduced here are a selected preview. The complete illustrated dossier is not publicly downloadable.
Historical Highlights
The Great Hong Kong Typhoon of 1906
A photographic sequence bearing the handwritten annotation “After typhoon 1906” shows damaged waterfront structures and industrial installations following the devastating typhoon of 18 September 1906.
S.S. Hankow — Fire of October 1906
A period print captioned “S.S. Hankow after the fire” documents the aftermath of the disastrous fire aboard the passenger steamer in October 1906. The exact location of this subsequent photograph remains under research.
Taikoo Dockyard & Naval Construction
Photographs captioned “Taikoo Dock” and other dockyard views record excavations, dry-dock construction, industrial rail tracks, machinery and a monumental Goliath crane.
Submarine Telegraphy & Cocos Islands
Images identify the cable ships Sherard Osborn and Recorder and include handwritten captions “First Cable Station, Cocos Islands” and “Beach at Cocos Islands”.
Japan — Architecture & Landscapes
Period photographs document traditional Japanese temples, ornamental gardens, bridges, mountain scenery and everyday life.
Singapore, Canton & Private Life
Other photographs include a cricket match in Singapore dated 1909, views associated with Canton, Quarry Bay and Stanley Road, traditional sailing vessels, coastal settlements and informal portraits.
Physical Description & Historical Significance
Three original photographic albums containing 213 original period photographs in varying formats, preserved on their original pages. A number retain contemporary handwritten captions identifying places, vessels, events and dates. The albums show age-related wear and variation in photographic contrast. The collection offers a wide-ranging visual record of early twentieth-century maritime, industrial and social history.
The three albums are offered together only, as one complete and undivided collection.
Complete Photographic Documentation — Available Upon Request
A comprehensive illustrated photographic dossier is available to verified prospective buyers, established collectors, professional dealers, auction houses and recognised institutions upon request.
Please provide your full name, email address, country of residence and a brief introduction describing your collecting interests or institutional affiliation. All requests are reviewed individually. Additional verification may be required before release.
Documentation is supplied for confidential evaluation only. Reproduction, redistribution or publication requires prior written permission.
