Showing 295 results

Collector/curator's description reads: “Late 1930s, Vancouver. Photo of two actors with inscriptions on either side of the image. The image was found in the collection of Louis Gain Wai, who owned the Vancouver Chinatown restaurant ‘Chung King’ and was a big supporter of the arts. (Top of photo and right hand side): ‘Sir, from both of us, our deepest friendship to our father figure, Louis Gain Wai.’ (Left side of photo) Leung Siu Cho (actor) Shwu-hoang Po Hing (actress).”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “Circa 1928, Vancouver. Photo of Soo Wing Chor who came to Canada in 1923 and paid the $500 head tax. About three months after he arrived, the Federal Government introduced the Chinese Exclusion Act, which essentially barred further immigration by Chinese. He was 17 at the time. He went on to operate the Golden Goose Restaurant in Campbell River from the 1950s until he sold it and passed away in 1976.”

Collector/curator's description reads: “Circa late 1940s, Vancouver. Two generations of the Soo family. The family originally arrived in Canada in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Back row (L to R): Kong Cheong Soo; Yew Ming Soo; Yew Kwun Soo; and Bing Chong Soo. Front row (L to R): Fook Jun Soo and You Quai Soo.”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “1946, Vancouver. Wedding photo of Henry Thom to Winnie (nee Chu) Thom. Best Man is David Thom (Henry's younger brother); Groomsman is James Chew (Henry's nephew); Maid of Honour is Jean (nee Chu) Law (the bride's youngest sister); and Bridesmaid, Bessie Chew (Henry's niece).”

Collector/curator's description reads: “Early 1930s, Vancouver. Two unidentified young Chinese girls pose in silk Cheongsam gowns. The photo was found in the archives of the Harry Con family of Vancouver.”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “C. 1930, Vancouver. Photo of two young, Asian women identified simply as Kay and Lena.”

Collector/curator's description reads: “Circa 1920s, Vancouver. Photo of an unidentified young girl doing acrobatics. Part of a series of 4 photos.”

Collector/curator's description reads: “1940s, Vancouver. Unidentified Chinese man, likely an actor. The photo was found in the collection of Louis Gain Wai, a Vancouver Chinatown businessman who owned The Chung King Restaurant and was a big supporter of the arts.”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “1943, Vancouver. Wedding photo of Mae and Sun (surname unknown) along with their bridal party. Helena Wong is second from left. The frame contains handwriting that reads ‘To Mr. & Mrs. Wong and Helena’ which refers to Wong Chew Lip and his wife who were the owners of Ming Wo Cookware. Helena Wong was their daughter.”

Collector/curator's description reads: “Late 1910s or early 1920s, Vancouver. Unidentified Chinese family. The woman and child on the left have been superimposed into the photo. Whereas the man and young male were photographed at Yucho Chow Studio. Many early Chinese men living in Canada were separated for decades from their wives and young children. To bridge the distance, it was common to take two photos -- one taken in China, the other in Canada -- and merge them into one image. At last, the family was reunited, if only in a photograph. This photograph was found in the archives of Ming Wo Cookware (once known as Ming Wo Hardware).”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “C. 1940s, Vancouver. Graduation portrait of a woman named Anne (surname unknown). Inscription reads ‘To Leslie. The best of everything, Anne.’”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “Circa 1940s, Vancouver. Photo of unidentified Chinese Canadian woman dressed in a nurse's uniform. Like a graduation photo from nursing school.”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “Circa 1935, Vancouver. Photo of a young, unidentified Chinese man wearing a three-piece suit. The photo was found in the album owned by Lillian Sam (nee Lowe).

Collector/curator’s description reads: “Early 1920s, Vancouver. Photo of an unidentified man dressed in a suit. The photo was found in the archives of the Ming Wo Cookware collection (formerly known as Ming Wo Hardware.). Likely the photo has been given to Wong Chew Lip, the original owner of the store. This same unidentified man appears in a slightly earlier family photo where his wife and child in China are superimposed into the photo.”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “C. 1920s, Vancouver. Head and shoulders photograph of an unidentified Chinese man wearing a 3-piece suit. The photo was discovered in the collection that once belonged to Vancouver-based Wong Shih Park. The photo may have been taken for use in a government identity document.”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “1920s, Vancouver. Portrait of unidentified man who photo was found in the archives of the Wongs Benevolent Association.”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “C. late 1930s, Vancouver. Unidentified Chinese man dressed in ornate dark suit with embroidery. Photo is stamped with Yucho Chow on the back. It was found in a collection of images in owned by Quon H. Wong family.”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “1940s, Vancouver. Portrait of a young Asian man named Dick. Appears to be dressed in a graduation gown. The photo was found in the family archive of Anita and Norman Low. On the frame is written ‘Anita and Norman. Best wishes, Dick’.”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “1915, Vancouver. Unidentified Chinese man in a three-piece suit. Photo was found in a collection that once belonged to Wong Shih Park, who was based in Vancouver. The man's lip and the flowers have been hand-painted with red dabs of paint.”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “1930s, Vancouver. And unidentified young Chinese man standing in front of a miniature, decorative wagon. It appears he may have won some type of competition as there are ribbons on the wagon. One ribbon reads ‘British Columbia.’ And the other ribbon reads ‘Junior Second Award Place. Fisker [Fisher] Body's Craftsman Guild.’”
The man was subsequently identified as Thomas Lowe.

Collector/curator’s description reads: “C. 1920s, Vancouver. Portrait of an unidentified young Chinese woman. The photo was found in the album of James Wong Fong whose family ran a jewelry and watch store in Vancouver's Chinatown.”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “Late 1920s, Vancouver. Portrait of a seated, unidentified young Chinese woman. She is dressed in a cheongsam. This photo was found in the archives of Ming Wo Cookware (formerly known as Ming Wo Hardware).”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “Circa 1920, Vancouver. Full portrait of a young, unidentified Chinese woman wearing cheongsam. Behind her is a chair. The photo was found in the family album belonging to Lew Hoy Moy Sue (also known as Mrs. Ging Lew).”

Collector/curator's description reads: “Circa 1940s, Vancouver. Photo of a group of men, women and children sitting around a long banquet table. Occasion for the gathering is unknown. The full frame contained the Yucho Chow circular seal. There is Chinese writing around the perimeter of the frame.”

Collector/curator’s original description reads: “C. 1930s, Vancouver. Portrait of an unidentified young Asian man in graduation garb.”

Collector/curator's description reads: “Early 1930s, Vancouver. A postcard photo and unidentified young Asian girl and an Asian man in a cap.”

Collector/curator's description reads: “Circa 1930s, Vancouver. Photo of an unidentified Chinese opera performer dressed in an elaborate stage costume. Photo appears to be taken outside the studio, likely on a stage or set. Yucho Chow's seal has been embossed in frame (right, bottom). The photo was found in a collection that was kept at the Ming Wo Cookware store in Vancouver, B.C.”

Collector/curator's description reads: “September 1934, Vancouver. Photo of five unidentified Chinese children. Photo was purchased on EBay from a seller who obtained it at a flea market in Vancouver.”

Collector/curator’s original description reads: “1937, location: unknown. Photo of an unidentified young Asian woman sitting casually in a large, stuffed, plaid chair and holding a copy of Vogue magazine. The handwritten inscription on the frame reads ‘To the Misses Chow. December 24, 1937.’ The photo was found in the family archives of the Chow Ten Lam family.”

Collector/curator's description reads: “1927, Location unknown (likely Vancouver). Inscription at top of mat/frame: ‘Group photo of actors taken after a performance to raise funds for disaster relief (fire somewhere?) by the Canadian Vancouver Chinese Christian Society for the Abolition of Unequal Treaties.’ Dated: 1930 March 2nd (note this is different from the date of the performance noted below). Chinese characters on black header: ‘Nurturing human rights.’
Text below photo (line by line): 1. Names of the eight actors; 2. Photo taken ‘with electric light’ by Yucho Chow 1927; 3. September 5 Canadian Labour Day (the actual word used was ‘Festival’); 4. A play by the Canadian Vancouver Chinese Christian Society for the Abolition of Unequal Treaties; 5. For the purpose of raising funds for publicity; photo of the entire acting team taken after the performance to commemorate the occasion.
Inscription at bottom of frame: ‘Photographed by Yucho Chow at the ‘Big Stage Theatre’ (good to verify the English name of this theatre).’

Collector/curator's description reads: “1945, Vancouver. Photo of the Victory over Japan parade in Vancouver's Chinatown.”

Collector/curator's description reads: “1945, Vancouver. Photo of a Chinese opera float that appeared in the Victory over Japan parade in Vancouver's Chinatown. This photo has been hand colourized.”

Collector/curator's description reads: “1945, Vancouver. Photo of a Chinese opera float that appeared in the Victory over Japan parade in Vancouver's Chinatown.”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “C. 1944, Vancouver. Photograph of the front of Vogue Photo Studios. Vogue Studios was owned by Yucho Chow and was located at 128 West Hastings Street (Vancouver). Chow's sons Peter and Philip ran this studio, while Yucho continued to operate the main studio at 518 Main Street. Vogue Studio was only in existence a few years (1943-1946) and likely was closed due to the fact that Yucho Chow lost a lawsuit in 1945 and was required to pay his nephew, Chow Neen, $2100.”

Collector/curator's description reads: “C. 1911, Vancouver. Photo of Wah Yip and his wife Emma (formerly known as Emma Haywood) and their two children, Mary (left) and Winnie. They are an example of an early and rare, mixed-race marriage. The couple married relatively late in life: Wah was 35 and Emma was 30 when they married in Vancouver in March, 1908. Wah was listed as born in Victoria and his occupation was listed as "store keeper". Emma had been born in Nashville, Tennessee and on the marriage certificate she is listed as a "widow." The identified their home as 102 East Pender St in Vancouver. Interestingly, the two witnesses to their marriage were not Chinese, but had the surnames Arnault and Barbour. This photo was found in the album owned by the Methodist Church.”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “1931, Vancouver. Wedding photo of Ben Wong to Pearl Wong (nee Goon).”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “1931, Vancouver. Wedding photo of Ben Wong to Pearl Goon along with their wedding party. Left to right: Mildred Goon; May Louie; Pearl Goon; George May; Ben Wong; Nellie Yuen; and Anita Jang.”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “Early 1940s, Vancouver. Bill Wong (left) of Modernize Tailors stands next to an uncle from the U.S. Both are dressed in military uniforms.”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “Circa 1944/45, Vancouver. Photo of Daniel Wong (also known as Kwok Him Wong) was from Vancouver. He joined the Army in 1944 and started basic training in Maple Creek Saskatchewan. He was assigned the service number K.5554. Daniel was later trained as wireless operator and was slated to join Force 136 in India. When the war in Europe ended in May 1945, the Allies now turned all their attention to bringing an end to the war in the Pacific. They started to plan for an all-out assault on the home islands of Japan. They needed men to volunteer for what could be a suicide mission: the Japanese were expected to defend their homeland to the last man. The invasion was planned for November 1945. And, despite their fears, Daniel and Bing decided to put their names forward: they became members of the Canadian Army Pacific Force, sometimes referred to as the Tiger Force. Fortunately for Daniel, in August of 1945, the U.S. detonated two atomic bombs over Japan, which led to the surrender of the island nation. Back in Vancouver he worked in restaurants and then as a taxi driver and later a produce delivery-truck driver. While making a delivery to an IGA in Surrey just before Christmas, he died suddenly from a massive heart attack. He left behind 3 children and a wife.”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “Circa late 1930s, Vancouver. Wedding of Edward Wong to Adeline Mah and their wedding party. Left to right: Bill Con; Unidentified man; Edward Wong; Adeline Mah; Amy Wong; unidentified flower girl; and Winne Con.”

Collector/curator's description reads: “Mid-1940s. Vancouver. Back row (left to right): Robert Mah; Adelaine (Mah) Wong; Edward Wong. Adults seated: Lee Lin Choy (mother to Robert and Adelaine); and Sam Goong (3rd uncle). Children (left to right): Ivan Wong; Ernie Wong; and Alfie Wong. Robert Mah was a student at the time this photo was taken. He would go on to become a draftsman. Edward Wong owned and operated Park General Store at 269 Powell Street in Vancouver. He also moonlighted as a real estate agent.”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “1944, Vancouver. Wedding photo of Hank Wong to Mae Chin. The bridesmaid is Jennie Chin. The best man is unidentified.”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “1943, Vancouver. Head & shoulders shot of Helena Wong (aged 21). The photo has been hand painted. Helena was the adopted daughter of Wong Chew Lip who owned Ming Wo Cookware at 23 East Pender. It appears that this photo was once part of a larger image, but was then cropped down to focus just on Helena.”

Collector/curator's description reads: “Circa: 1936, Vancouver. Photo of Wong Kim Sing and family. Left to right: Moy; Ping; Dorothy (seated); May; Wong Lee Shee (wife #3) holding infant Edmund; Joe (son of wife #2); Kang (son of wife #2); Ken; George; Raymond (seated). Wong Kim Sing did a variety of jobs including selling vegetables wholesale and operating a copperstill to brew alcoholic medicines.”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “1940s, Vancouver. Head and shoulders portrait of Wong Kown Fow. He was born and educated in China. In 1936, the Wong Kung Har Tong in Vancouver wrote a letter offering Kown Fow a teaching job at Mon Keong School. He accepted and taught at the school from 1936 to 1947 and, for unknown reasons, he returned to China. A year later he was recruited, yet again, to come back to the Mon Keong School. Kown Fow returned to Canada and taught at the school until his death. Some of his students recall that he was boring and strict. Others remembered him as a good teacher, but not someone who could read a room. On one occasion he was MC'ing a funeral. Toward the end of the commemoration he went onstage and said ‘Oh, one more thing. To all the board of directors of the Wong's, there will be a board meeting, please attend.’”

Collector/curator’s description reads: “C. 1935, Vancouver. Photo of businessman Kung Lai Wong, who owned Modernize Tailors. This photo was found in a box of portraits at the Wongs Benevolent Association.”

Collector/curator's description reads: “1946, Vancouver (518 Main Street). Photo of Wong Kung Lai family, owner of Modernize Tailors. Back row, L to R: Helen; Jack; Bill; Allan and Anna. Front row, L to R: Milton; Uncle (name unknown); Mother Man Ming (nee Chu); Irene (superimposed); Maurice; Father Kung Lai Wong and May.”

Collector/curator's description reads: “C. 1930, Vancouver. Photo of two sisters: Lena Wong (left) and Kay Wong. They were the daughters of Quong John Wong, a businessman who ran a produce store and invested in several Vancouver Chinatown restaurants, including the famous W.K. Gardens Chop Suey restaurant on East Pender Street.”

Collector/curator's description reads: “Circa 1924, Vancouver. Wong Mark Shee with her daughter Helena Wong. Mark Shee was the second wife of Wong Chew Lip who owned Ming Wo Hardware (later known as Ming Wo Cookware) which opened on East Pender Street in Vancouver around 1922. Helena would take over running the store later.”

Collector/curator's description reads: “Circa 1940, Vancouver. Photo of Wong Mow (a tailor and owner of the Modern Silk Shirt Company) with his four children. (Left to right): Jennie, Wah, Larry (seated on father's lap) and Git. Their mother had died a few months before this photo was taken.”