Postcard with title "Reservoir Hongkong". The rear states only, "Specially made for : The Graeco Egyptian Tobacco Store, Hongkong" and "Made in Germany".
I bought this old Hong Kong postcard recently. The front gives the title as “Reservoir-Hongkong”. The rear provides no further information on the location.
I didn’t immediately recognise the scene and was confused by that light patch in the middle distance above the “reservoir”. The highest peak in the distance could be Mount Kellet from the east, before its decapitation. If so, the reservoir in question would probably be Aberdeen Upper or Lower Reservoir. Unfortunately, I’ve been unable to find a photo looking west across either one for comparison.
It’s from the Middle Bay area looking roughly north-west. Middle Bay is in the foreground with Repulse Bay off to the right. The narrow gap in the middle distance is between Middle Island on the left and Hong Kong Island on the right with Deep Water Bay beyond. The tall peak on the left is Brick Hill with Mount Kellet and then Mount Gough to its right in the distance.
As it seems to be a good match, I’ll say that the postcard title is incorrect. It’s not a “reservoir” but a view along the south coast of Hong Kong Island. That light patch in the middle distance of the card is roughly where the lower part of Ocean Park is today. Perhaps it was an isolated patch of mist or just an over enthusiastic postcard publisher attempting to improve upon nature.
Corrections welcome. It’d be interesting to make a comparison if anyone has photos looking west across Aberdeen Upper or Lower Reservoirs towards Mount Kellet.
Thanks to Klaus for the link to the New York Public Library website from which this photo was taken.
It's the same view as the "reservoir" pic at the top of this string, but has a more accurate title. This one shows a wider angle, but the parts in common to both are very similar in composition. The colourizing process tends to add additional elements and remove original detail so it's difficult to decide if this was the photo from which the "reservoir" pic was produced.
Comments
Reservoir Hongkong
I bought this old Hong Kong postcard recently. The front gives the title as “Reservoir-Hongkong”. The rear provides no further information on the location.
I didn’t immediately recognise the scene and was confused by that light patch in the middle distance above the “reservoir”. The highest peak in the distance could be Mount Kellet from the east, before its decapitation. If so, the reservoir in question would probably be Aberdeen Upper or Lower Reservoir. Unfortunately, I’ve been unable to find a photo looking west across either one for comparison.
But how about this for a close match!
It’s from the Middle Bay area looking roughly north-west. Middle Bay is in the foreground with Repulse Bay off to the right. The narrow gap in the middle distance is between Middle Island on the left and Hong Kong Island on the right with Deep Water Bay beyond. The tall peak on the left is Brick Hill with Mount Kellet and then Mount Gough to its right in the distance.
As it seems to be a good match, I’ll say that the postcard title is incorrect. It’s not a “reservoir” but a view along the south coast of Hong Kong Island. That light patch in the middle distance of the card is roughly where the lower part of Ocean Park is today. Perhaps it was an isolated patch of mist or just an over enthusiastic postcard publisher attempting to improve upon nature.
Corrections welcome. It’d be interesting to make a comparison if anyone has photos looking west across Aberdeen Upper or Lower Reservoirs towards Mount Kellet.
1993 Middle Bay
re: Reservoir Hongkong
Good match on the real location of this scene. Not the first postcard we've seen with an imaginary title!
Similar Postcard
Thanks to Klaus for the link to the New York Public Library website from which this photo was taken.
It's the same view as the "reservoir" pic at the top of this string, but has a more accurate title. This one shows a wider angle, but the parts in common to both are very similar in composition. The colourizing process tends to add additional elements and remove original detail so it's difficult to decide if this was the photo from which the "reservoir" pic was produced.