AN EARLY ALBUMEN PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE SHANGHAI RACE COURSE.

[Shanghai n.d. ca. 1865-1890]. A group of 5 albumen photo images, sharp, clear, clean, good contrast, nearly no fading showing the Shanghai Race Track and Grandstand. R A R E . . *** A RARE group of five stunning and earliest photographic images of the Shanghai Racetrack and Grandstand. All images are large size and of the albumen type process. None are dated as was usual, some are mounted on photo album leaves others not. . * THE IMAGES: 1. Earliest view of the Racecourse and Grandstand prior to remodeling. Shows lots of spectators looking at a race. Several are on the roof also watching. The fence is of about chest height, the photo was taken from inside the Racetrack, 27.5 x 21cm., circa. 1865-1875. . * 2. The Racetrack, looking North-east, there are some horse jumping fences on the ground, some people walk on the exterior area, 19 x 14.5 cm., board mounted, circa. 1865-1875. . * 3. A charming and terrific image, shows a large number of men and women on horse carriages, with very tall wheels. The people are very dressed up in Victorian clothes, Some of the carriages are drawn by two horse. Board mounted, 26 x 18.5 cm., circa 1890. In the background, the spire of Holy Trinity Cathedral Church can be seen. . * 4. The newly remolded Grandstand is at the right and the Racecourse to the left, in this case the protective fence has been doubled to protect spectators from horses jumping the fence. The scene is void of people. The Grandstand has been about doubled in size, board mounted, 25.5 x 21.5 cm., circa 1890. . * 5. The newly remodeled Grandstand is at the left, the wind blows through the flag on the top of the Grandstand showing a rider and a horse. The Racetrack is at the right, and just before it is a hastily constructed wooden platform to compensate spectators so they can better see the horse race since the old fence was heightened to provide more human protection. There many people, mostly couples in elaborate Victorian dress, with two spectators on the roof. 27 x 20.5 cm., circa 1890. Note, this photograph was probably developed on a hot day, there is evidence of mismatch of developing chemicals in the tiny white spots on the image, which were from bubbles in the developing fluid, this is common when the temperature goes too high. There is also a minor bit of paper deformity in the upper right corner area, but this does not detract greatly from the image, simple pressing should remedy this. Else a nice image. . * SEE THE SCANS: Please visit our website for good scans of each photo. . *** REFERENCE: Victorian women's clothing: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=victorian%20women's%20c lothing&psj=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&bvm=bv.42452523,d. cGE&biw=1024&bih=607&wrapid=tlif136087066165610&um=1&ie=UTF- 8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=Dj0dUe3YOoa5igLXwIGYBw * Allbumen type photograph http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albumen_print * Shanghai Racecourse: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanghai_Race_Club * .