Three HK bakeries 1864 – Dorabjee Nowrojee’s, The Wanchi and The Colonial, and mention of two other companies

HF: The first mention of a bakery in a Hong Kong newspaper I can find is that of Dorabjee Nowrojee’s in Queen’s road next to P&O Steam Ship Company’s office. The advert, published in 1864, is dated 1860 so it’s rather odd that it suggests a newly opened business.

hongkong-bakery-advert-hk-daily-press-4th-january-1864

HK Daily Press 4th January 1864

James Chan:  The Wanchi Steam Bakery Company and The Colonial Bread Company had adjoining adverts in the Hongkong Daily Press 30th June 1864.

Bakery Ads Hong Daily Press 30 June 1864

HK Daily Press 30th June 1864

 

1) The Wanchi Steam Bakery Company whose “hard and soft bread” could be sampled at:

2) Thomas Hunt & Company was a ship chandler, dry dock and commission merchant firm based on the Pearl River near Whampoa, China with satellite offices in Hong Kong and Shanghai. The firm was founded by Salem, Massachusetts native Thomas Hunt in the mid 1840s and initially only carried dispatches between Canton and Whampoa. Hunt soon expanded his packet boat business to include a ship chandler. The company furnished American vessels with ship supplies and assisted in unloading goods and supplies for shipment to Canton to be sold at market. After having made a fortune, Hunt sold his business to fellow Salem natives James Bridges Endicott and James P. Cook in 1854 and returned home to Massachusetts. Thomas Hunt & Co. expanded business after Endicott and Cook took over, establishing a commission merchant business in Hong Kong with offices in Whampoa and Shanghai.
Harvard University Library.

See: Harvard University Library for further information about Thomas Hunt & Company, Whampoa, Hong Kong and Shanghai

3) The Colonial Bread Company used equipment supplied by:

4) Stevens’ Patent Bread Making Machinery Company 10, Old Jewry Chambers, London, UK

From the 1862 London Exhibition Catalogue. The company also manufactured Universal Cake and Pudding Mixers.

Stevens' Patent Bread Machine - 1862 London Exhibition

A Stevens’ Family Bread Machine

This article was first posted on 21st September 2014.

See:  http://www.gracesguide.co.uk 1862_London_Exhibition:_Catalogue:_Class_7.:_Stevens_Patent_Bread_Machinery_Co

Related Indhhk articles:

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  2. The five Tang brothers – oyster farming Deep Bay, Sui Luen Weaving Mill 瑞麟 織造廠, Sui Luen Towel Mill 瑞麟毛巾 廠, Tung On Cheong Bakery 同安祥餅家 – further information provided by a granddaughter
  3. Cheong Alum and the case of mass poisoning at the E-Sing bakery
  4. Chun Hing Bakery, Biscuit & Confectionery Manufactory
  5. Ching Loong Bakery (正隆餅家) 1889 – 1963
  6. The Lane Crawford Bakery, Stubbs Road, 1938-1948
  7. Hong Kong bakeries around the time of WW2

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