The 2025 December Auction - Sale 346 (December 13 - December 16, 2025)
Sale 346
- (-) Remove Historical Postcards and Real Photos filter Historical Postcards and Real Photos
three vintage photographs dated 17 July 1962, showing journalist Mário Rosa (Ló Man Lio) visiting the Chinese pro-Nationalist newspaper Si Man Pou in Macau. The typed Portuguese caption on verso notes a meeting with editor Adam Lee (Lei Fok Lan) during director Li In K’si’s absence, bearing a purple Si Man Pou / Macau oval stamp. A fine record of early Macau press relations between Chinese and Portuguese circles.
a pair of signed photo postcards featuring Chinese-American actor Chingwah Lee — one depicting him in his studio serving tea to Anna May Wong and Ellen Raines, inscribed in both English and Chinese; the other showing his role in “The Good Earth.” Both bearing his autograph on front and Chinese signature on reverse. Rare surviving examples of his signed portrait postcards from Hollywood’s golden era.
including one depicting the Chinese delegation at the 1899 Hague Peace Conference; one showing the Chinese delegation landing at Saigon (posted 1907); and two French “Fêtes de la Victoire” postcards (1919) showing the Chinese military mission participating in the Paris Victory Parade after World War I. All with printed French captions, two postally used. Rare documentation of China’s early international diplomatic and military presence.
including a photographic group portrait inscribed “中華民國十周年國恥紀念,” Tsi Nan University 4th Anniv. and Nangyang Student Studing Abroad in France group picture postcard. VF-F.
depicting the famous Chinese magician Han Ping Chien (founder of the “Han Family School of Magic”) and family in ceremonial attire, inscribed and signed “Yours truly, W.M.K. Chao / 趙文貴送.” Very Fine. Rare.
showing Chinese students posed beneath the Qing dynasty flag. Captioned in both Chinese “甲辰秋日比國蒙肆城中國留學生會攝” and French “Étudiants Chinois à Mons (Belgique) 1904,” with photographer’s imprint “Ch. Galladé, phot., Mons” at left. Reverse addressed and dated 23 March 1905. A rare early postcard documenting Chinese overseas students in Europe during the late Qing period.
Pui Ching School, Dongshan, Canton (captioned 「廣州東山培正學校學生會第三屆執行委員攝影」). Taken in front of a brick school building, depicting male and female students in both traditional and Western attire. Unused. Scarce early school group photograph from Canton. Faulty mostly at edges.
including two commemorative postcards issued for the First Exhibition of the Shanghai General Chamber of Commerce Commodity Display Hall, depicting portraits of participating merchants and local figures; a family portrait postcard titled “陳崇桂”; a Dutch East Indies “Soerabaja” river scene; and a color postcard of General Tong Un-Pai (湯恩伯) in military uniform, trimmed at edges. Mixed printing styles and conditions, representing scarce early commercial and portrait issues. Faulty edges and corners. F-VF.
showing Russo-Japanese War scenes, Railway Station and Hankow Stret Scenes. A nice group.
showing Military Soldiers, Ruins and War Scenes. A nice group.
depicting key historical moments surrounding the 1911 Revolution (Xinhai Revolution) and the ensuing political turmoil. Featured scenes include revolutionary forces confronting Qing troops in Hankou, the U.S. Consul in Jiangning mediating peace negotiations between Imperial and revolutionary armies, the aftermath of the destruction of the Wuchang Governor’s Office, and the International Red Cross with Li Yuanhong, Governor of Hubei. These rare postcards provide an authentic visual record of the fall of the Qing dynasty and the birth of the Republic of China, offering exceptional historical and documentary value for the study of early 20th-century Chinese revolution, warfare, and diplomacy.
showing Military Soldiers, Saving injuries, War Scenes and Dead Bodies, etc. A nice group.