A rare collection of high-resolution photographs of D'Aguilar Street, ca. 1928–1939. Visible in the collection are shop signs including 大利𢇁綢行 Taj Mahal Silk Store, 娛樂戲院 King’s Theatre, 萬買 Bombay Silk Store, 全昌 Chuen Cheung Dress Maker, 華芳照相 A. Fong Photographer Studio, 茂機 Mow Kie, 新妙機 Lee Fat, and 安樂園 On Lok Yeun Cafeteria, among others.
This particular photo can be dated to March 1935, as King’s Theatre was scheduled to screen The Affairs of Cellini between March 22–25, and Taj Mahal Silk Store had just relocated to the corner of Queen’s Road Central and D’Aguilar Street on March 14, 1935.
Signs in view:
安樂園 On Lok Yeun Cafeteria
西醫霍永根 Dr. W.K. FOK M.B.B.S.
英國愛丁堡大學戴翰芬醫生
茂機 MOW KIE
廣安專造象牙 KWONG ON Ivory Factory
華生抽紗公司 WAH SUN Drawn Work
美藝男女理髮 MEE NGAI Saloon
Photo Credit: Jacob Blauuw Kooters
Source: https://marcus.uib.no/instance/photograph/ubb-jbk-0123.html
Comments
Re: Photo
The photograph was taken in March 1935. The film "The Affairs of Cellini" was released in August 1934 and screened at the King's Theatre between 22 and 25 March 1935.
Dating the photos
Thanks moddsey! March 1935 was my first estimate, too, but then I noticed "Coming Attraction", which pushed back the first two photos slightly earlier than the actual screening date.
Re: "Coming Attraction"
Yes, "Coming Attraction" would nudge the photos taken to a slightly earlier timeframe. I noted the different films screened at the King's Theatre in March 1935 were only for a short duration.
Dating Photos of the Tajmahal Silk Store from the 1930s
The Tajmahal Silk Store relocated to the corner of Queen's Road Central and D'Aguilar Street in the King's Theatre Building on 14 March 1935. This is around the same timeframe of the "Coming Attraction" of the film, "The Affairs of Cellini" and when the main photo was taken.
Prior to the move, the Tajmahal Silk Store had also been a tenant in the King's Theatre Building (Entertainment Building). The store faced D'Aguilar Street but up the slope and further away from the junction with Queen's Road Central.
Timeline
1929 - Commenced business at 5 Wyndham (Flower) Street.
1931 - Relocated to larger premises in the King's Theatre Building facing D'Aguilar Street in April after the theatre building's opening.
1935 - Relocated to the corner of Queen's Road Central and D'Aguilar Street on 14 March.
Source:
Thanks for the additional…
Thanks for the additional details, moddsey. I have updated the captions accordingly.