From the Album of Hongkong Canton Macao Amoy Foochow : vol.1 /16
This photo also appears on an album by W.P. Floyd sold by Dominic Winter Auctions in 2019. The caption on this album reads: "View on Praya, from Lane, Crawford & Co. Wharf H.K." This is likely incorrect, Douglas Wharf would be correct.
Photo taken by W. P. Floyd between 1868 and 1873.
I've annotated the photo and identified buildings to my best knowledge. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
| 16 | 48-50 Des Voeux Road Central |
| 17 | 54-58 Des Voeux Road Central |
| 18 | 60-70 Des Voeux Road Central |
| 19 | 72-82 Des Voeux Road Central |
| 20 | 84-102 (?) Des Voeux Road Central |
Compared to View of Praya (I) c.1870 annotated, this photo shows buildings which I have never seen before.
No. 17 looks much like Victoria Hotel with the twin columns, but no 16 is different. The inscription De Silver & Co. belonged to a company which is listed in the 1869 Chronicle (and only this year) as ship chandlers on the praya. The location of both buildings fit to 48-58 Des Voeux Road Central which was the address of the Victoria Hotel. Possibly the left (eastern) building was either demolished or reconstructed and joined with the right (western) building to become the hotel.
No. 18 (60-70 Des Voeux Road Central) was a two-storey building with nine arches. It was replaced (possibly in the early 1880s already) by a three-storey building with six arches.
No. 19 (72-82 Des Voeux Road Central) was a three-storey building with five arches. It was replaced by a three-story building with six arches.
No. 20 (84-102 (?) Des Voeux Road Central - numbering is simply guessed) should be the waterfront building of the Central Market (2nd gen) - either an independent row of houses or connected to the Market.
Behind the no. 20 buildings, an empty lot can be seen. On this, the second generation P&O building will be constructed.
There is a lot of uncertainty and speculation, any comment is welcome.