Pedder's Wharf by John Thomson

Tue, 07/02/2024 - 23:37

Top photo: The Bund, Hong Kong. Photograph by John Thomson, 1868/1871. | Wellcome Collection

Bottom photo: The Bund, Hong Kong. Photograph, 1981, from a negative by John Thomson, 1868/1871. | Wellcome Collection

A bit confusing: both photos have the same title, and at first sight they look the same. But take a closer look and see the different piers. The upper photos shows Pedder's Wharf (1st generation) [c.1861-1871], the lower one obviously a different one: Pedder's Wharf (2nd generation) [c.1872-1886]. The first wharf was in line with Pedder Street, the second one a bit to the east.

To see this more clearly, the area of the piers was magnified in this photo:

Pedder's Wharf first and second generation
Pedder's Wharf first and second generation, by Klaus

I think the upper photo is from 1869, the lower one was taken when the new pier was constructed in late 1871 or early 1872.

Date picture taken
1869 (year is approximate)
Author(s)