Tuck Tai (fl. late 19th century), Photographer, Shanghai Bund

Tuck Tai (fl. late 19th century), Photographer
Shanghai Bund
eight albumen prints laid down on card mounts, joined, contained in oblong 4° half purple morocco gilt boards, upper cover with red morocco gilt titlepiece lettered 'SHANGHAI BUND TUCK TAI. PHOTOGRAPHER.'
the albumen prints 77⁄8 x 11in. (20 x 27.9cm.)
815⁄16 x 90in. (22.8 x 228.6cm.) overall
A photographic record of the fast developing Shanghai Bund at the end of the 19th century, the fine panorama extending from the Native City, Old City or Nanshi (Southern City) on the extreme left, to the Dock Company and wharves on the extreme right, to the north of Suzhou Creek. The view centres on the British Settlement, flanked by the French Concession to the south and the American zone to the north, the latter consolidated with the British Settlement in 1863 and subsequently known as the International Settlement.

Although undated, the Time Ball on the Bund gives a terminus post quem of 1884 -- the date the signal and time station (the latter a mast with a big ball that rose to half- and top-mast and back to mark noon each day) was erected. A similar panoramic view of the Bund by Tuck Tai in Cambridge University Library is dated in manuscript 30 October 1898. For another variant by the Shanghainese photographer see the sale in these Rooms, 26-7 Sept. 2007, lot 534 (£4,750).

Please note this lot is the property of a private individual.

Provenance

Private Collection, England.