Queens Road Central looking east 1870's

danielwettling
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queens road central 1890's
Date picture taken
1870s
Tags
sedan chair
scaffolding

Comments

The photo is much older than 1890, it is from c.1870. It was taken in the opposite direction compared to this photo.

Queen's Road looking west c.1870, by Klaus

In the photo above, the distinct building visible is 70, 72, 74 Queen's Road Central (the first one on the left). In 70 QRC there was the studio of Nam Cheong from Whampoa, Portrait and Landscape Painter, in 74 QRC the shop of Nam Sing, Tailor, Draper.

In the original photo, the sign of Nam Sing is on the right. The sign is at the edge of the building 70, 72, 74 QRC. The building can be clearly identified by its outline. It likely also shows the sign of Nam Cheong — the angle is too acute for really seeing it. Next should be the junction of QRC with  Pottinger Street (leading to the right), and then a number of buildings follow, including Wen Cheong Tailor (82 or 84 QRC). 

Update 2025-09-28

I think that both photos were taken on the same day, both by Lai Afong. Many details, including awnings and banners look pretty much the same in both photos. 

The photos were taken at different times, but likely not too long apart. The one looking east is possibly younger (see comment below).

The year 1870 or 1871 is also supported by the absence of rickshaws.

Note the blurry shades of people in both photos. This was caused by the long exposure time needed to take photos these days.

I am impressed, Klaus, by how much you know about the past of Hong Kong and in such detail.

From the exact street number to the opposite side of a view point. Compliment. We have lived in Hong Kong for the past 40 years, and we are still searching for answers. Have a pleasant weekend.

Hi Klaus, I think the looking east and looking west photos were likely taken on different days, due to differences in the signs.

In the looking east, just right of centre is a black-on-white sign for "WENG CHE??? APING.TAILOR". Below and behind is a smaller white-on-black sign "?A? TING ??? ??? ???" and in front is a larger black-on-white sign for "H. N. RICKERTZEN WHOLESALE & RETAIL DEALER ??? TOBACCO & CIGARS" (Hans Nicolaus Rickertzen).

In the looking west, we get a clearer view of WENG CHEONG, but the other two signs don't look to exist.

Hi All, Suggest that the photo was taken between 1871 and 72, and the house occupants from east to west along QRC as below. 
 
  • 74 QRC, Nam Shing 南盛 as seen & in record,  tailor 番衣店
  • * Cochrane Street *
  • 76 QRC, Yew Loong 耀隆 as in record only, gun maker (1868 -1876)
  • 76 QRC, a shingle on G/F as seen : "錦芳號專造定鞋時款鞋襪 ".  The shoemaker sounds like 'Kam Fong'. It was also seen in the above Afong's photo which suggested to be taken in 1878. (not later 1871 - 1882 or before)
  • 78 QRC, Tai Shing 泰盛 as seen & in record, fancy goods store 洋貨 (no later 1867 - 1882)
  • 80 QRC, unknown occupant. The shingle barely read as: "X X 洋貨" which seemed to be an unknown fancy goods store. There is no record of Nos. 80 QRC in directories until 1877. 
  • 82 QRC, Yue Shing 裕盛 as in record, fancy goods store (no later 1867 - 1882)
  • 84 QRC, Nam Ching 南楨 as seen & in record, photographer. It was written as "Nam Ting" on the shingle as seen, and the signboard at Nos. 60 in Floyd's photo in 1860s as well. (1871/72 to 1877/78)
  • 86 QRC, Kwan On 均安 as in record, tailor. As seen in Afong's photo (1878ca), another side of the shingle at 1/F was written as "Weng Cheong Aping Tailor 均安番衣." Likely 'Kwan On' was the shop name; and 'Weng Cheong' was the tailor and proprietor. (1871ca - 1882)
  • 86 QRC, a shingle on G/F as seen : "恒昌號時款鞋襪" shoemaker sounds like 'Heng Cheong' 
  • 88 & 90 QRC , Hans Nicolaus Rickertzen as seen & in record, Tobacconist ( 1871 - 1872 ca)
  • * 吉士笠街 Gutzlaff Street *
 
Rickertzen emerged from nowhere and joined the cigar & tobacco dealer Zackariae & Co. (也渣掹) at Nos. 86 as partner and tobacconist at around 1869, immediately after Bielfeld and Zackeriae & Co (標付) dissolved.  
 
On 10 Feb 1871, Rickertzen notified the public that he on that day established his own company as wholesale and retail tobacconist in the premises lately occupied by Zacharie & Co.  We may assume "the premises" was Nos. 86.  
 
But two months later, there was another advertisement dated 5 April 1871 telling us that Rickertzen's shop already moved to Nos. 88 and 90 QRC.  The premises at Nos. 88 and 90 had been occupied by Edward Parker under the name of Albion Hotel (亞倪邊酒店) since 1859.  Before Rickertzen moved in, the business of Albion Hotel was taken over by G. W. Snelling.  In July 1871, the new propriator announced the hotel new address at Nos. 18 Hollywood Road.  
 
Given the above, it is suggested that tailor Kwan On removed from Nos. 74 QRC to 86 in 1871, immediately after Rickertzen.  The premises at  the corner of Cochrane St. lately occupied by Kwan On then replaced by Nam Shing Tailor as seen in the photo.
 
Rickertzen disappeared from records of 1873.  We may assume him left Hongkong, and Far East as well, in 1872.  
 
Meanwhile, the Directory of 1873 recorded that Sam Hing Stultz 三興 , the clothier & draper, had removed from Nos. 71 to Nos. 88.    Given the backgrounds of Albion and Rickertzen, we may assume house nos. 88 and 90 were one single unit.  From 1872, both Nos. 88 and 90 were occupied by Sam Hing until 1881.