York LO: Kin Sun Manufactory (建新織造廠) and Longfellow shirts Left: Kin Sun’s ad in Singapore in 1953 warning customers about counterfeited Longfellow shirts (南洋商报, 10 April 1953, Page 7); Right: Kin Sun Manufactory in Sham Shui Po on the right. The bamboo structure was for lowering a coffin from the second floor which was common practice before the 1960s (Uwants) […]
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Mike T: There’s an interesting connection to the 555 undershirt brand made in Hong Kong by Chuen Sun Knitting Factory Ltd in the book “Design History: An Anthology”. “Early modern Hong Kong industrial design Hong Kong industrial design during the first half of the twentieth century developed much the same adaptive and synthetic strategies as that of graphic design. The silversmithing […]
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James Chan: Hughie D, Veteran Member of derelictplaces.co.uk has posted a piece about this company on its website. This was posted in July 2015. Hughie says: “This place is a bit of a strange one. This old silk mill is in the middle of Tsuen Wan…and must represent very valuable real estate. I remember passing this place a number of […]
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New Information HF: The Hong Kong Printing Press seems to have operated from 1888 to 1980 according to the website linked below dedicated to the company. The site appears to have been researched by descendants of family members who were involved in the company for several generations. I would like to hear from anyone contributing to the website linked below. […]
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IDJ has sent the following, undated, brief account of Swire Duro Ltd: “Swire Duro Limited was for many years known in Hong Kong for its decorative and industrial coatings. However, while it continues to manufacture paint at its purpose-built factory on Tsing Yi Island, the bulk of its output now goes to the joint venture company, ICI Swire Paints Limited, […]
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Elizabeth Ride has sent a British Army Aid Group (BAAG) report from 1st March 1945, An Outline of Conditions in Occupied Hong Kong which was compiled in early 1945 for use by the Civil Affairs Committee which was to take on the rehabilitation of HK after the planned allied invasion. HF: The report is lengthy so I am going to divide it […]
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James Chan: A controversial subject with a long history in Hong Kong. Chief Executive, Leung Chun Ying, announced plans to ban the domestic ivory trade during his 2016 Policy Address. CY said that the government “will kick-start legislative procedures as soon as possible to ban the import and export of elephant hunting trophies.” Recent SCMP articles: SCMP 29th June 2016 Destruction of […]
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York Lo: Sam Lee Chuen (三利泉製衣廠) – Raincoat pioneer Sam Lee Chuen ad from the 1930s Founded in 1925 by Chan Ka-chuen (陳家泉, 1885-1950), Sam Lee Chuen Garment Factory (also known as Sam Lee Chuen Wing Kee) was a pioneer in manufacturing raincoats and other outerwear in Hong Kong. Aside from raincoats, it also made trousers and a variety of […]
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HF: Following our recent article about the Asiatic Petroleum Company in China and Nicholas Kitto’s photographs of the APC building in Shanghai, I thought it would be of interest to learn about Royal Dutch Shell’s history there as the two companies were closely connected. Let’s start with Royal Dutch Shell in China according to their own website: Shell’s business relationship […]
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For latest updates please see items highlighted in blue. HF: Joseph Mansfield left a comment attached to this article in late July 2023 saying he was researching the history of the Netherland Club of New York founded in 1903. Joseph was particularly interested in a president of the club J.A. de Lanoy who was an employee of the Asiatic Petroleum […]
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