Veranda at Gyantse Fort

Veranda at Gyantse Fort

BMH.E.72.1 (Film negative)

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Key Information

Photographer

Arthur Hopkinson

Collection

A. J. Hopkinson

Date of Photo

1927 - 1928

Region

Gyantse > Fort

Accession number

BMH.E.72.1

Image Dimensions

85 x 112

The veranda of Gyantse Fort with Agency staff beneath a textile awning. Rows of bottles can be seen lined up against the wall on the left hand side [see Notes]

Further Information

Photographic Process

Negative film nitrate

Expedition

A. J. Hopkinson's Tour of Duty as British Trade Agent, Gyantse, 1927-28

Manual Catalogues -

Manual Catalogues - [Caption in A. J. Hopkinson's negative album 'Tibet E']: 'Getting water' [MS 04/05/2006]

Other Information - Description: [Extract from taped interview, Richard Blurton and Mrs Hopkinson] '71 and 72 - interior view of Gyantse Fort. Rai Sahib Wangdi seen in 71' [MS 29/07/2006]

Other Information - Cultural Background


Other Information - Cultural Background: Alcohol was a regular part of Agency life, but some members of staff were concerned about the impression given to families back home when glimpses of alcohol and its consumption appeared in photographs that were to be sent to relatives. Hopkinson wrote home in a letter : “Mulligan borrowed my photos E 55 & 56 of us all sitting in the veranda with the Tering’s after lunch with a conspicuous bottle of whisky, in the middle of the day, and says he is doubtful whether it would not shock his people if he sent it home. So perhaps it is necessary to explain that it is not so bibulous as it looks, and that the whisky in the middle of the day is only drunk by the Tibetan guests - similarly the photo of the veranda (E 71) is not really so bibulous as it appears - the bottles on the side were beer bottles (full) for return to the mess godown - tho’ I must admit that I would have had them removed, had I realised they were going to come into the picture.” [A. J. Hopkinson Archive, OIOC British Library, Mss Eur D998/54, Journal Letters from Gyantse and Various Camps, 1927-28, commencing February 5th 1928, Gyantse, pages 6-7] [MS 03/08/2006]

For Citation use:
The Tibet Album. "Veranda at Gyantse Fort" 05 Dec. 2006. The British Museum. <http://tibet.prm.ox.ac.uk/photo_BMH.E.72.1.html>.

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