Beschreibung:

Personal souvenir albums of Georges Philippe Jules Cattand (1902 - 1989) the French Vice Consul of Shanghai (later the French Consul General in Tientsin, China). 1929-32. Circa 483 vintage (many sepia-toned) gelatin silver prints. Various sizes, most circa 19 x 14 cm, 15 x 10 cm and 11,5 x 16,5 cm. Mounted in photo corners to album pages (a few missing photos), extensively annotated in French in white ink above/below the images on the mount, bound together in 8 contemporary canvas patterned albums (some spots of edges/corners slightly worn, binding slightly loose) with chord binding. Each album 27 x 36 cm. This comprehensive collection of richly illustrated private souvenir albums was compiled between the years 1929 - 1932 by Georges Cattand the French Vice Consul of Shanghai. The first album shows views of Shanghai, the old city of Liuzhou, a suite of photographs of Cattand's private apartment showing Cattand with his wife, some portraits of Cattand in his uniform, Shanghai harbor with many images of the arrival of various battleships including the French cruiser Waldeck-Rosseau, the British HMS Berwick and the American cruiser Pittsburgh. Also includes portraits of the officers of the Waldeck-Rosseau . In addition to private photos of the vice consul and his family the second album shows French soldiers in China, military parades with tanks and weapons in Shanghai showing high ranking French officials, as well as picturesque views of small Chinese villages, cities and temples. The third album shows views of Hangzhou , various views of the Pagoda of the Six Harmonies and surroundings, charming portraits of young Chinese ladies in modern dress, as well as the Temple of Confucius. The fourth album contains some large photographs of the military parade on the Shanghai Bund on July 14, 1930 (some by Ah Fong) with French officials. Also includes views of temples, villages and surroundings of Shanghai. The fifth album contains views of Suzhou with temples, pagodas, and other picturesque sites such as Liu Garden as well as some military events. The sixth album shows attractive views of the small harbor city Ningbo with boats, street life, old temples and market activities. The seventh album contains images of the religious life on the island Putou , with interior and exterior views of temples. The eighth album contains horrifying images of the Chinese civil war showing the battlefields in and around Shanghai, as well as destroyed cities, also some images of Japanese landscapes and portriats of Aino in traditional dress. All album pages are extensively annotated in French. – Some photos with slight oxidation mirroring in edges, some minimal surface scuffing, otherwise most in very good to excellent condition.