Description
Photograph, 'Bird fancier', black and white, silver gelatin print, by Hedda Morrison, Peking, China, 1933-1946. The image shows an old man seated on a bank of dirt, looking at a small bird in cage on the ground to his right (at left of frame). The man has a long beard and wears a long, fur-lined robe and a skull cap. Bare trees can be seen in the background.

Significance statement
Hedda Morrison labelled this image 'The bird fancier'. In 'A photographer in Old Peking' (p. 128), she wrote: 'The light, ornamental cage would have been enclosed in a cloth cover and carried by a fancier on his stroll until he sat down to smoke his pipe and let his pet Ruby-throat enjoy the sunlight'. Hedda chose this photograph to make a book-plate for her husband Alastair, who was himself a keen bird fancier.

Production notes
This is one of a large number of photographs that were taken by Hedda Morrison (1908-1991) during her years of residence in Peking (Beijing), China 1933-1946.

History notes
Reproduced in Hedda Morrison, 'A photographer in Old Peking', Hong Kong, Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press, 1985, p. 128, with the caption: 'The bird fancier. The light, ornamental cage would have been enclosed in a cloth cover and carried by a fancier on his stroll until he sat down to smoke his pipe and let his pet Ruby-throat enjoy the sunlight'.

Credit line
Gift of Mr Alastair Morrison, 1992

Design marks
Handwritten pencil, verso, upper right corner '13' in circle, bottom right corner 'Yi'.

Registration number
92/1414-233