A collector of printed paper scraps, Beijing
Collection
Identifier
PF01-25
Notes
University of Bristol - Historical Photographs of China reference number: PF01-25. Photograph by John Thomson, taken at the same place as PF01-31. In 'Illustrations of China and its People' (1873-1874), vol IV, Thomson describes the man as follows: "No.52 is a picture of a literary agent, as we may call him. So great is the veneration of the Chinese for letters, that men such as our old friend here are employed to collect scraps of printed paper, which are afterwards burned before some shrine. This is, however only one branch of the old man's business - he picks up rags and bones from the dust-heaps as well...". See a scan of Thomson's negative (Wellcome Collection ref: 19715i).
Related Photographs
Location
Date
1871
Photographer
Material
Paper
Media
Black and white photograph
