The Hostilities in Shanghai in 1932
The souvenir photographs
A number of images are souvenir photographs stamped with an identifying number on the back and probably ordered by number from a window display or catalogue. These include the ones that are probably taken in Kiangwan (img115-119). Two images have Chinese characters on the front and two have the impression of “Weipong, Shanghai”.
Weipong, Shanghai was probably a photographer active in the 1920 and 30s. See other examples at: https://www.joseflebovicgallery.com/pages/books/CL173-24/group-portraits-collection-shanghai
These photographs are possible Nationalist Government propaganda aimed at increasing confidence in the Chinese army as one that was modern and well equipped with the latest foreign weapons.
There is a Chinese officer on horseback (img168), Chinese infantry emplacements (img174, 178-179, 181-182, 186 & 199), anti-aircraft gun emplacements (img173 & 187) and machine gun emplacements (img183-184), Japanese tanks (img180) and various military engagements (img211 & 243-246).
img | Number stamped on back | img | Number stamped on back |
img115 | 1065 | img116 | 1113 |
img117 | 1119 | img118 | 1091 |
img119 | 1099 | img168 | 979 |
img173 | Chinese characters front lower left | img174 | 1002 |
img175 | 985 | img176 | 1057 |
img178 | 1020 | img179 | No number |
img180 | 1060 | img181 | No number |
img182 | 1073 | img183 | Chinese seal front lower right |
img184 | 1058 | img185 | 1118 |
img186 | No number | img187 | 1006 |
img188 | 1124 | img189 | 1121 |
img190 | 1039 | img191 | No number |
img192 | 1074 | img193 | No number |
img194 | 1130 | img195 | 1053 |
img196 | 1133 | img197 | 1123 |
img198 | 1139 | img199 | No number |
Ing202 | No number | img207 | No number |
img211 | 1025 | img240 | Impression of “Weipong Shanghai” front lower left |
img243 | Impression of “Weipong Shanghai” front lower left | img244 | 952 |
img245 | 951 | img246 | 943 |