This remarkable volume, The Chater Collection: Pictures Relating to China, Hongkong, Macao, 1655–1860, is far more than just a book; it is a vital historical record of a lost treasure.
Compiled by curator James Orange in 1924, this book meticulously catalogues the magnificent collection of historical artwork amassed by Sir Catchick Paul Chater, a prominent figure in colonial Hong Kong. It features beautiful reproductions (including maps, colour, and monochrome plates) of paintings, prints, and sketches that capture the vital South China trading ports and the growing British presence during a pivotal two-century span.
As the majority of the original 430-item collection was tragically lost or damaged during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong, this First Edition serves as an indispensable visual archive and one of the most important reference works for the history, art, and visual culture of early Hong Kong, Macao, and the China trade. It is a true collector's piece for anyone interested in the region's colonial and visual history.
Publisher: Thornton Butterworth Limited
Binding: Original Publisher's Dark Green Cloth (Hardcover), gilt lettering to spine and cover
