From the Archive

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

Web-footed aeroplanes in Hong Kong And Macao

7 Web Footed Aeroplanes In Hong Kong And Macau

From IDJ, with many thanks to Yannis Baritakis, on Syros Island, Greece, for adapting IDJ’s original word document including images for inclusion on our website. Flights using seaplanes and float-planes between Hong Kong and Macao were not entirely unknown after de Ricou’s Macao Aerial Transport Company in the 1920s failed to continue with the project due to interference and indifference […]

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Socony-Vacuum Oil Company in HK from 1895

HF and Elizabeth Ride (ER) New information in red. Linda Granfield left the following comment in November 2022: Hi–Re 1896 for your earliest mention of the Vacuum Oil Co. in Hong Kong–I found an 1895 Jurors’ List that list a fellow as an assistant at the Vacuum Oil Co, Kowloon Hotel. Same info in the Carl Smith Collection, Government Records […]

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Lee Shiu-kee (李兆基) of Kee Lee Co Ltd(基利有限公司)

Lee Shiu Kee Detail Image 1 York Lo

York Lo: Lee Shiu-kee (李兆基)of Kee Lee Co Ltd(基利有限公司) Left: Lee Shiu-kee as a founding director of the Real Estate Developers Association of HK. (Fung Pang-yin, 100 Years of HK Real Estate); Right: LeeShiu-kee’s residence at 12 Belleview Road in Repulse Bay At 12 Belleview Road in Repulse Bay stands a magnificent three-story Chinese style mansion with green roof which […]

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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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