The collection of more than 24,000 images, was amassed by Frank Fischbeck who first came to Hong Kong in the 1970s as a photojournalist for LIFE magazine. In this capacity, and later as Managing Director of FormAsia Books he began taking photos documenting daily life and important moments in the city’s recent history. Along with his own pictures he collected historical photos dating from the 1860s to the 1960s, which reveal Hong Kong as it evolved into a major international city. Of his own images, Mr Fischbeck said: “Images associated with politics are the hardest ones to capture. Experience taught me to dress appropriately for the occasion. I had to place myself in the shoes of the attendees, that I don’t stand out as a journalist or photographer but blend into the audience and that I am, as far as possible, unobtrusive.” HKU Libraries will store, preserve, catalogue, digitise and maintain the collection. An initial exhibition, entitled Hong Kong Historical Photos from the Frank Fischbeck Collection, reveals some of the treasures contained in the collection, and presents an exciting visual account of modern Hong Kong history. Frank Fischbeck’s picks Selected historical pictures A rare collection of photos chronicling Hong Kong modern history since the 1860s has been acquired by HKU Libraries, which has put on display an initial exhibition of highlights from this visual treasure trove. HONG KONG HISTORY IN PICTURES First to march through the Cross Harbour Tunnel was the Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas, led by Major H.C.R. Bently, performing at the tunnel opening on August 2, 1972. (Caption courtesy of FormAsia Books) “The Luk Yu Teahouse in Central is a Hong Kong institution and long favoured by locals and visitors to the city. It still retains its atmosphere of old-world dignity with polished wood panels and dented teapots, but these days there are no more spittoons,” said Mr Fischbeck. TheQing court was still in power in September 1909whenGovernor Lugard posed on the steps of Government Housewithmembers of the Legislative Council andwith the royal visitor fromPeking, Prince Tsai Hsun. On Lugard’s left is Yuan Shu-hsun, Viceroy of Canton. (Caption courtesy of FormAsia Books) This striking photograph, taken fromthe tailgunner position at an altitude of several hundred feet, shows a loose formation of five US Army Air Force bombers on a raid over the Hong KongWhampoaDocks. The Kowloon Peninsula and the north shore of Hong Kong Island are all in full view. (Caption courtesy of FormAsia Books) The Frank Fischbeck Collection is owned by HKU Libraries. A classic imagemarking the end of the Japanese occupation: the Japanese Gestapo Chief, Colonel Kanazawa, head of their Gendarmerie, is arrested at the entrance of the PeninsulaHotel on September 29, 1945. BritishMarines withweapons provocatively poised keep awatchful eye on the Colonel, with arms folded and still wearing his samurai sword, and his aides. (Caption courtesy of FormAsia Books) “Gems of vernacular architecture can still be found in the New Territories. Saved from extinction by their seclusion and inaccessibility, their very neglect has proven to be their salvation.” Mr Fischbeck spent a lot of time documenting the fast disappearing villages of the New Territories. Even at the end of the 19th century, it was not uncommon to see carts pulled through the streets of urbanHong Kong by bullocks when farmers brought their produce tomarket. (Caption courtesy of FormAsia Books) I had to place myself in the shoes of the attendees, that I don’t stand out as a journalist or photographer but blend into the audience and that I am, as far as possible, unobtrusive. MR FRANK FISCHBECK Visit the virtual exhibition 35 KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE 34 The University of Hong Kong Bulletin | May 2021
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy ODI4MTQ=