79 loose gelatin silver photographs from ca. 12 x 9.5 cm (4 ¾ x 3 ¾ in) to 10 x 6.5 cm (4 x 2 ½ in). 40 images with period pencil captions on verso. Four images with “Lama Temple” stamped on verso. Overall a very good collection of strong interesting photos.

A well-preserved collection of 79 original and studio gelatin silver photographs showing Beijing (written as “Peiping”) in late 1946 and early 1947. The collection was likely compiled by a US Marine Corps officer serving in China as part of Operation Beleaguer (1945-1949). Operation Beleaguer was the US-overseen repatriation of Japanese and Koreans living in China’s northeastern Hebei and Shandong provinces in the wake of World War II.

Over 30 photographs show landmarks and sites in Beijing. They include the Forbidden City’s northern gate (Gate of Divine Might) and Hall of Supreme Harmony; the Hall of Prayer and Circular Altar Mound at the Temple of Heaven; aerial views of the Great Wall of China, taken north of Beijing; the Marble Boat in the Summer Palace; a “Lama Service” at Yonghe Temple; the Beijing Guozijian; the city fortifications, including the archery and gate tower described as being “the north gate on the east wall”; the White Pagoda at Miaoying Temple; the Diamond Throne Pagoda at Zhenjue Temple; the Nine-Dragon Wall at Beihai Park; Peking Union Medical College; and two bird’s eye views of the city, one showing the Forbidden City from the Grand Hotel de Peking (currently Beijing Hotel), the other a busy street.

Also included are over 25 photographs of the streets of Beijing. They show busy street markets, including a grain market; street vendors, including a peddler of earmuffs and gauze masks, a vegetable merchant, and a knife sharpener; and street scenes near a city gate with portraits of locals, including a municipal policeman, a man smoking tobacco, and a “militiaman.” There is also a series of six photographs showing a funeral procession.

Other photographs in the collection include the interior of a residence; a courtyard with an air raid shelter; lion statues next to cannons in front of a pavilion; statues from a Buddhist temple; and a dragon boat with many spectators in Shanghai, in front of the Capitol Theatre.

Overall, an interesting and well-preserved collection of original and studio photographs showing Beijing shortly after World War II.