From the Archive

Rediscover stories from Hong Kong’s industrial past, published on this date in previous years.

East Asia Company (東亞洋行)

East Asia Company Detail Image 1 York Lo

York Lo: East Asia Company (東亞洋行) East Asia Company and guests welcoming the 6th Earl of Verulam in 1960 at its 25th anniversary party. Left to right: HSBC manager J.A.H. Saunders, Mak Kwong-wan (麥廣環), Earl of Verulam, Uhlan Mac, trade commissioner J.F. Saunders, Chan Wah-lok, accountant Mok Chung-wan (WKYP, 1960-3-29) East Asia Company (not to be confused with the Danish […]

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Nam Wah preserved ginger manufacturer – Sham Shui Po

Nam Wah Preserved Ginger Detail D Advert China Mail 12.12.1928

According to HK company records the Nam Wah Preserved Ginger Company Ltd was incorporated on 27th October 1954 as a private company and is apparently still operating. However this 1928 company advert appears to show it with a factory in Sham Shui Po and office in Central. Can anyone confirm the company dates and/or supply further information/images about the Nam […]

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The defunct Tai Po Kau Railway Station, KCR

Hugh Farmer: Philip Edward Kenny has added a comment to the article Tai Po Kau Railway Station – dramatic film! You may not be aware of his excellent website (see below). One article on this covers in some detail the now defunct and demolished KCR station and has recently been updated. It also contains photos both historic and contemporary. Phil […]

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Central Theatre (中央戲院)

Central Theatre Detail Image 2 York Lo

York Lo: Central Theatre (中央戲院) Left: ad announcing the opening of Central Theatre with the movie “The Love Parade” in 1930 (SCMP, 1930-6-11); Center: Central Theatre in 1935 (as evidenced by the sign for the Cantonese opera movie); Right: Central Theatre’s ad in 1932 for Douglas Fairbank’s “Around the World in 80 Minutes” (China Mail, 1932-3-23) For 40 years from […]

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European Settlements in the Far East – Part Three, The Peak District and the Peak Tram in HK around 1900

Vaudine England has kindly sent a link to what she describes as a typically 1900-era directory of the European empires in the east. The author was D Warren Smith. Of great interest to us is a rather neat summary of the industries and shipyards at that time. We have already posted Part One – Industries and Part Two – Shipyards, […]

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Recently Published

Kelly Brothers Manufacturing Factory, Pre-War Garment Pioneer

Athlet (2)

York Lo – Kelly Brothers Manufacturing Factory, Pre-War Garment Pioneer   Kelly Brothers 1953 advert Source: IDJ Founded in 1925, Kelly Brothers Manufacturing Factory (嘉綸兄弟織造) was one of the oldest garment manufacturers in Hong Kong, producing sport shirts, T-shirts, singlets, pullovers, vests etc under the “Spot”, “Anchor”, “Athlet” and “Lightning” brands. The brothers in the firm’s name refer to its […]

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The Far East Land Property Credit Company/ Crédit foncier d’Extrême-Orient, in Hong Kong c1907 to 1959

Credit Foncier D'Extreme Orient Advert The Peak Mansions HK Telegraph Courtesy Gwulo

Our recently posted article, South China Bricks and Tiles Manufacturing Company – reopening of plant at San Hui, Castle Peak, New Territories has a reference to Credit Foncier S’Extreme Orient: “The original designing of the works, very little of which has since been altered, was done by Credit Foncier S’Extreme Orient. Mr. G.Van Wylick being then in charge.” Intrigued I […]

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Lam Tei Quarry

Hugh Farmer: “Today, under a plan formulated in 1989, the three remaining operational quarries in Hong Kong are being rehabilitated to form green areas for future development. Shek O (completion in 2009), Anderson Road (2013) and Lam Tei (2015) quarries are being rehabilitated under contracts that involve major recontouring to soften the appearance of the angular quarry profile, tree and […]

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