Description:

PRE-WWII CHINA PHOTOGRAPH ALBUM
Rare relic from the archive of Colonel Rufus Bratton, the Army infantry and intelligence officer whose work as Far East Section Chief of Military Intelligence and actions during the Pearl Harbor attack were fictionalized in the movie Tora Tora Tora: an 11" x 13" cloth-and-board bound photograph album, circa 1920's, containing 118 b/w photographs (sizes vary) documenting Bratton's time in pre-war China. This album represents not only the historical importance of Bratton's exposure to both Chinese and Japanese cultures, but also of 1920's China itself. The majority of images give a rare depiction of major Chinese monuments and architecture that have been destroyed in subsequent years, especially in Beijing. Photographs of note include: Sun Yat Sen's 1925 funeral procession, Humiliation Day festivities, the Chinese Emperor's first wife in traditional dress, the Empress Dowager with the "Little Emperor" and family, the Empress Dowager in her palace, a common Chinese funeral, Bratton with Japanese field grade officers (Col. Matsumoto, Gen. Tatekawa), the 15th Infantry on review parade at Tientsin, and the H.I.J.M.S. Mutsu at sea off the coast of Chinwangtao. Major contemportary architecture images include: the Forbidden City (the Emperor's Throne, Examination, and Banquet Halls, the Summer Palace, Jade Fountain, Bronze Pavilion, P'ai Lou water entrance), the Winter Palace, Jade Fountain Pagodas, Temple of Heaven, Temple of Confucius, the Atlar of Heaven, and more. Definitely a collector's item with many possibilities for the discerning eye.

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January 21, 2010 10:00 AM EST
Stamford, CT, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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