Collector/curator's description reads: “1927, Vancouver. The Hoy Ping Benevolent Association was honoured with this composite photo in 1927 after they fundraised to build a school in their village in China. In addition to sending money to families in China, fundraising for social and political causes was common activities among early Chinese. This style of photographic display was used by many Chinese clans or benevolent associations. The artwork has been credited to Yucho Chow. He likely took many of the portraits too. Chow was from Hoy Ping (Kaiping) County and an active member of his clan association.”
Collector/curator's description reads: “1935, Vancouver. Photo of a group of men and one woman who were members of the Wong Kung Har Tong Benevolent Society standing in front of a portrait of Dr. Sun Yat Sen at the Chinese Consulate offices.”
Collector/curator's description reads: “Circa 1918, Vancouver. Photo of five young Chinese-Canadian men dressed in suits. It is uncertain what the relationship is among these men. The names are unknown with the exception of one: Henry Eng who is back row, right. He had worked as a houseboy.”
Collector/curator's description reads: “1943, Vancouver. On location photo of the graduating class. The boy in front row, centre is Harvey Eng (son of Henry Eng). Back row (left to right): Miss Montgomery; Miss Lily McCarger; Mrs. Jack Chan; and Miss Esther Fung? Third Row: Unidentified; David Lim; Kong (Ken) Young; Unidentified; Unidentified. Middle Row: May Chu?: Valerie Lee; Audrey Yip: Jenny Jang; Unidentified. Front Row: Unidentified; Mary Phyllis Kett?; Harvey Eng, Mavis Yuen, Unidentified. This picture was taken at the Chinese United Church complex on Pender and Dunlevy Streets. These steps lead up to the men's dormitory where the church rented out rooms to single young men. The actual church was to the right of this building. The kindergarten classes were held in the basement of this building.”
Collector/curator's description reads: “Circa 1921, Vancouver. George Mook Chow, age 10, from Moose Jaw. His father was Charles Soloman Chow (Yucho's younger brother). George had travelled by train from Moose Jaw to Vancouver. His name was sewn into his coat so that he could easily be identified. The plan was for George to visit China along with his uncle Yucho Chow and his children. The trip was scheduled for March of 1921 on the ship the Empress of Russia. George stayed in China for approximately two years then came back to Moose Jaw. He left again for China as a teen when he became named in the divorce of a white couple. He only returned to Canada in 1943 after escaping a Japanese prisoner of war camp.”
Collector/curator's description reads: “1924, Vancouver. Photo of Yue Gong (George) Lew. Was born on September 25, 1923. He was the second son of Mrs. Ging Lew (ask Lew Hoy Moy Sue).”
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: “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: “Sept. 9, 1939, Vancouver. Group photo of Ching Won Music Society. Taken to commemorate an award they won for their participation in the ‘One Bowl of Rice’ fundraising drive in September 1939 to aid Chinese war refugees. Held at the same time as the Moon Festival events, the ‘One Bowl of Rice Drive’ campaign was organized by Vancouver's Chinese community and collected $25,000 in funds. The festival included a bazaar, a Chinese opera performance, dance, and an art exhibition. The banner reads: ‘golden sound and jade vibration’ meaning resounding clarity, harmonious. ‘Golden sound’ represents kindness, and "jade vibration" represents sageness, so it can also be a metaphor for people's knowledge and ability to learn. Beatrice Jai (Lew Yew Wah) b. 1928 is the young girl seated at the front. Her future husband, Raymond Jai (Jai Yew Kwong) b. 1916, is seated directly in front of the banner on the left side.”
Collector/curator's description reads: “1942 or 1943, Vancouver. Scan of newspaper photo showing Beatrice Jai posing with ballet shoes. Beatrice is about age 14 or 15 and was performing in a ballet. While this scan is from a newspaper clipping, the same image appears in a poster advertising a performance. That poster also includes a photo of my Beatrice's younger sister Betty doing acrobatics. The poster is dated March 21 with no year, but the performance was likely 1942 or 1943.”
Collector/curator's description reads: “Late 1930s, Vancouver. Head and shoulders portrait of a Chinese opera actress named Shwu-Hoang Po Hing. The inscription around the photo reads: (right hand side) ‘For your keepsake as a father figure to our friendship. From daughter (not blood daughter) Po Hing.’”
Collector/curator's description reads: “C. 1924, Vancouver. Interior photo of the Ming Wo Hardware store (later known as Ming Wo Cookware). The owner, Wong Chew Lip, stands on the right of the photo. Ming Wo was located at 23 East Pender Street in Vancouver. In the first few decades, Ming Wo was primarily a hardware store. It eventually started supplying equipment to restaurants in the area and slowly became known as a cookware store. At one point, it even produced bean sprouts in the basement of the building and supplied the sprouts to local Chinese restaurants.”
Collector/curator's description reads: “1956, Vancouver. Photo of the 3 generations of the Chun family. (Left to right): Lynda Chui; Mary (Chun) Chui; April Chui (on lap); Eng Sim Low ‘Lily’ (mother to Mary); Bing (Lily's father whose full first name is not remembered); and Judy Chui.”
Collector/curator's description reads: “Early 1950s, Vancouver. Photo of four young adults from the Dong family. Left to right: James Dong; Lily Dong; May Dong and Bill Dong. Fri, Jul 26, 9:39 AM (2 days ago). ‘The four siblings were all studying @ UBC and were going out to a function. They took the photo to send back to their parents who were @ our home Alert Bay.’"
Collector/curator's description reads: “1939, Vancouver. Photo of Goon Lin Dang with his extended family. Back row (left to right): Mary Goon; Rose Goon; Lily Goon; Lawrence Goon (son of Tyson and Ruth); Emily Goon and Mildred Goon (daughter of Tyson and Ruth). Front row: Susie Goon; Mrs. Ruth Goon; Goon Wong Shee (second wife); Goon Ling Dang; Tyson Goon (son of first wife) and Raymond Goon (son of Tyson and Ruth).”
Collector/curator's description reads: “1943, Vancouver. Goon Ling Dang family - with second wife and their children. Back row (Left to right): Susie Goon; Mary Goon; and Rose Goon. Front row: Lily Goon, Goon Wong Shee (second wife); Goon Ling Dang; and Emily Goon.”
Collector/curator's description reads: “1920s, Vancouver. Photo of the Hune family. Standing in Back: Left to Right - Tan On also known as Don (m. born 1912); Gun Mee aka Connie (f. 1916); Sun Gim (f. 1913); Dun Wah (m. 1910). Front Row: Left to right: Tan Yu (m. 1920); Chew Shee, mother (born 1881); Gim Pen aka Gloria (f. 1925); Hune Quon, father, (b (1869); Far Right - Tan Chew (m. 1915).”
Collector/curator's description reads: “Circa 1946, Vancouver. Mah Fook Ming (standing), with his wife Lily Mah, and their son Keith, who is likely under 1 year old.”
Collector/curator's description reads: “Early 1940s, Vancouver. Photo of two Chinese women and a Chinese man all wearing winter coats. The inscription reads: ‘To older brother Chew Lip. From Mak Siew Hin and daughters Ho Hing (left), Pan Hing (right).’ It is not clear what their relationship is to each other or to Wong Chew Lip, who was the owner of Ming Wo Cookware. This photo was found in the archives of Ming Wo Cookware (formerly known as Ming Wo Hardware).”
Collector/curator's description reads: “1930, Vancouver. Photo of Ng Yew family. The children later changed their name from Ng to Eng. Back row, left to right: Joe Hong Eng, Chee Hong Eng, Dora Eng Mar, George Hong Eng. Front row: Jean Eng Marr, See Shee Eng, Baby Phyllis Harriet Eng, Jack Heen Yew Eng, Larry Noy Hong Eng.”
Collector/curator's description reads: “1935, Vancouver. Quan Gow Family. Back row: Mary (1921-1991); and Allen (1919-2001). Front row (left to right): Dick (1925-2020); Der Shee Quan Gow (1892-1963); Joe (1931-2010); Jean (1928-1965); Gow "Harry" Quan (1892-1969); and Ben (1923-1989). Back row: Dorothy; Allen Quan (1919-2001).”
Collector/curator's description reads: “1941, Vancouver. Photo of PC Quon and his second wife and children. PC Quon went on to open the Ho Ho Chop Suey Restaurant.”
Collector/curator's description reads: “1950 or 51, Vancouver. Photo of PC Quon (second from left) with his second wife (back right), son Michael Quon (back left) and two other children. Two unidentified men are also in the photo. PC Quon was the original owner of the Ho Ho Chop Suey restaurant.”
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: “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.”
Collector/curator's description reads: “1919, Vancouver. Photo of businessman Quong Wong and his wife and children and other relatives. Back row standing (Left to right): Quong Wong and Nellie Wong. Middle row: Mary (standing); Hum Shee (spouse of Quong Wong) holding infant son Ted Wong; Grandfather Sam Leong; Grandmother Foong Heng holding Yuet Yuen; and Yet Yee. Front row: Dorothy; Kay/Kathleen and Leonard (children of Quong Wong and Hum Shee); Wing Gee; Gin Goong.”
Collector/curator's description reads: “1942, Vancouver. Photo of Thomas Kwok Hung Wong with Juney. Note on frame reads: ‘To Leslie. With best wishes Juney and Tommy. 1942.’”
Collector/curator's description reads: “Circa 1940, Vancouver. Photo of Tommy CG Wong with his mother, Mah Hang and his sister May Wong. This is one of the only photos of Tommy with his mother. His parents separated when he was only six. With his mother returning to China, and his father working in the logging camps, Tommy lived in a tiny boarding-house room with his younger brother. They were alone and had to fend for themselves. On weekends, his father would visit, prepare a meal, and cut it into enough pieces to last the boys for a week. This photo was taken when Tommy's mother finally returned to Canada with his sister.”
Collector/curator's description reads: “1931, Vancouver. Woo Lee Shee and children. Standing (left to right): Effie; Ruby and William. Seated (left to right): Edith; Margaret; Helen (infant); Woo Lee Shee.”
Collector/curator’s description reads: “March 1941, Vancouver. Portrait of Bow Gwun Ho in uniform (or Bao Junhao in Mandarin). He was the Chinese Consulate in Vancouver from 1935-1941.”
Collector/curator’s description reads: “Circa early 1920s, Vancouver. Head and shoulders studio portrait of Cheng Ging Butt. Butt came to Canada around 1880 to work on the railroad. But after an injury he decided to change occupations and became a businessman. He settled in the town of Yale and opened a dry goods store, a gambling parlour, an orchard, a temple and a still to make ‘beverages’ (i.e. liquor). He also served as a labour agent for new immigrants and purchased a few properties in the Fraser Valley.”
Collector/curator’s description reads: “Early 1930s. Location: Vancouver. Portrait of Victor Cumyow. Victor was the son of Won Alexander Cumyow, believed to be the first Chinese person born on Canadian soil. Victor spent his early career working as an entertainer -- a singer -- and performed at the Paramount Club in Shanghai as well as in Vancouver clubs like the Manadarin Gardens. His stage name was Vic Won and he performed with a number of. His first wife, Anne May Wong, died in or around 1935. Later he married a Caucasian woman. Victor gave up his singing career and worked at a radio sales and repair store.”
Collector/curator’s description reads: “C. 1951, Vancouver. Portrait of Jack Joe Lee taken at Yucho Chow Studio located at 512 Main Street. The sons of Yucho Chow (either Peter or Philip Chow) would have taken this photo. Jack Joe Lee was May 16, 1894 in Kwangtung, China. He made a living as a tailor and worked for many years at Modernize Tailors when it was located at 1 West Pender St. Vancouver, B.C. It appears Jack also ran his own shop for a period of time as one of his tailoring books is stamped: Lee the Tailor, 295 Pender St. E[ast] Vancouver, B.C. Besides making clothes for paying customers, Jack also made clothes for his family. One nephew recalled that the family could not afford clothes so the only new garments they ever owned were made by Jack. Jack was remembered as a generous man. Every week he took to take his grandchildren to the grocery store and bought them Life Savers or penny candy. He also loved to take the extended family out for dim sum and allowed the grand children to select whatever items they wanted. Jack never spoke much English. Near the end of his life he moved in with one of his children and their family, and enjoyed sitting in his rocking chair. He passed away in Vancouver on May 28, 1973.”
Collector/curator’s description reads: “Late 1920s, Vancouver. Portrait of two young Asian women. On the right is Lew Hoy Moy Sue (also known as Mrs. Ging Lew) soon after she arrived in Canada. She was born February 10, 1900, and came to Canada in February 1920. The woman on the left is unidentified but likely a relative.”
Collector/curator’s description reads: “Circa 1940s, Vancouver. Head and shoulders portrait of Anita Low. The photo is addressed to Frankie, who was a girlfriend of Anita's. The same photo, but colourized, was presented to Norm (who later became Anita's husband).”
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: “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: “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: “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: “1930s, Vancouver. Photo of Mr. Wong Sow. The photo is unusual for two reasons: It has been cut and the other half is missing. As well, Mr. Wong is dressed very casually in the photo.”
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 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.”
![Hoy Ping Benevolent Assoc[iation]](/uploads/r/null/1/9/8/19868016bdf7649b55512e2faf6acb85edade4bcd485ae5d893e97ab616f359e/bc75f76a-d0ea-4264-a161-1c49c29b5891-Hoy_Ping_Benevolent_Assoc_142.jpg)
![Unidentified Chinese man with prize - early 1930s [Thomas Lowe]](/uploads/r/null/d/9/d/d9d8e6547fff634d249447485c34127e915b3528ea0d975465f4f29a5b4c58fc/3b630b49-0b53-4328-875e-5a29e10e0db8-Unidentified_Chinese_man_with_prize_-_eraly_1930s_142.jpg)
