SUNDAY INTERIORS SALE

Sunday 3rd March 2013 12:00am

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AN IMPORTANT COLLECTION OF CHINESE PHOTOGRAPH ALBUMS COMPILED BY A MEMBER OF THE SHANGHAI MUNICIPAL POLICE (1905-1930) containing approximately 600 private and known images of Chinese landmarks...

AN IMPORTANT COLLECTION OF CHINESE PHOTOGRAPH ALBUMS COMPILED BY A MEMBER OF THE SHANGHAI MUNICIPAL POLICE (1905-1930) containing approximately 600 private and known images of Chinese landmarks and daily life. Amongst the collection are photographs of the Yuan Ming Gardens, Shanghai Streets,Municipal courts and punishments. Many images identified with manuscript captions, observing and documenting various practices and local customs as seen through the eyes of a Western settler. See flickr for further images www.flickr.com/adams1887 One album with inscribed title page '' Here and there through China - some snapshots which were taken on house boat trips by Messers Jake and Faylo, both officers of the SMP while on house boats in the company of myself. 1st Ship 1-7-08 2nd Ship 1-9-09 3rd Ship 1-6-10 3 albums with images varying in size and medium, together with a quantity of additional photographic postcards of similar interest. *The Shanghai Municipal Police was founded in 1854 and was tasked with the duty of safe-guarding the International Settlement at Shanghai until 1943. The Shanghai Settlement was one of the five treaty ports which were established under the terms of the Treaty of Nanking in 1842 and was of predominantly British make up. The force which originally consisted of a small number of British nationals taken from the Hong Kong police unit would eventually tally almost 5,000 members. Many of the personnel had been recruited from Britain, Ireland and Commonwealth countries through the British delegates of the Municipal Council. In addition to the maintenance of general law and order within its boundaries, the marked function of the Municipal Police was to provide security and stability in the region, thus encouraging and protecting Western trade interests in a somewhat fragile environment. Whilst the S.M. Police was charged with controlling day to day regional law enforcement, they would also be the first line of defence against the Chinese Nationalist movements. Continuous opposition and resentment from the Chinese people had been very strong. An increased sense of patriotism had been developing and events such as the Taiping rebellion against the (western influenced) Manchu rule and the Boxer rebellion opposing the European powers would only enhance further hatred against colonial communities. Successive revolutions in 1913 and 1927 along with a more Nationalist government challenged the control of the Shanghai International community leading to increased attacks and instability at the settlement. Violent clashes between police and criminals were frequent. This rise in crime prompted a development of riot control measures, leading to the advancement of the renowned William Ewart Fairbairn publication ''Shanghai Municipal Police Self-Defence Manual''. Members of the Police unit were required to master 8-10 core techniques in a close combat situation and this improvised martial art proved to be a lasting legacy of the SMP. The Japanese invasion and occupation of China in August 1937 led to an increasing demographic of Japanese nationals in the region; and by 1941 a full Japanese takeover of Shanghai's International Settlement resulted in the disbandment of the SMP. British and Commonwealth officers of the Shanghai Municipal Police would hold their position until the disbandment and eventual integration with the National police force in 1943.

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Hammer Price: €6,000

Estimate EUR : €2,000 - €3,000

All bids are placed in Euros (€)

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