Jonathan Wattis is delighted to share with RASHK members and guests a few early original charts, maps and plans of Hong Kong, some of which appear in the landmark book, “Mapping Hong Kong, 1992”. This is part of the 34th annual Mapping of Asia exhibition by the Wattis Fine Art Gallery.
Hal Empson wrote the book “Mapping Hong Kong” after retiring as chief cartographer in the Hong Kong Mapping Office. He spent 3 or 4 years doing his research and the book was published in 1992. Jonathan Wattis was able to contribute some of the rare map images for the publication. It was a well-researched large volume with beautiful illustrations. It has been out of print for many years now and has become a highly desirable collector’s item.
One of the chapters of Hal’ s book was “Special Maps”. In this section he highlights the maps of Robert Crisp Hurley including “The Tourist’s Map of Hong Kong” - a rare early trailwalker map of Hong Kong printed by Oceania Litho Hong Kong in 1901.
Other rare exhibits include “The Typhoon’s Toll map”, an authentic record of the disastrous typhoon hitting Hong Kong on 2nd September 1937. A city plan entitled “Jan Jan’s Map of Hong Kong with street index”, which is possibly the first of a kind, was printed in 1958 by Kam Shing Hing Kee Printing Co, only a few hundred yards away from the Wattis Fine Art Gallery at 20 Hollywood Road.
The Speaker
Jonathan Wattis first set up his business in Hong Kong in 1986 having gained experience from working in the international art and antique market in London since 1977. He deals in antique prints, photographs, 19th and 20th century paintings, maps and books of East Asia. His speciality is early views of Hong Kong, Macau, Canton and the Pearl River.
Wattis Fine Art opened on Hollywood Road, Hong Kong in 1988 and has built up a reputation as the foremost gallery in Asia specializing in historical pictures, antique maps and travel books of East Asia. Jonathan Wattis, who joined Christie’s in London in 1977, has drawn on his wide experience of the international art market, as well as painstaking research, to collect these antiques and hold regular exhibitions focusing on the historical development of cities and countries of the Far East.
Works of art in a range of artistic media paint a vivid historical picture of the Pearl River Delta, Canton, Macau, Hong Kong and the Philippines from the late 16th century to the 20th century.
Wattis Fine Art gallery has become a magnet in Asia for all those who are fascinated by the rarest recorded images and maps of the region. As a result of the gallery’s special focus and thanks to the publication of illustrated books and exhibition catalogues which provide a lasting record of such fine and rare finds, Wattis Fine Art counts amongst its clients’ major museums, libraries, foundations and universities in Asia, Australia and the USA.
Admission: HK$100 for members, HK$150 for guests/non-members.
Pre-registration is required. Capacity is capped at 10 participants. Cash payment will be collected at the beginning of the visit. Please prepare the exact amount.
Registration: Please email membership@royalasiaticsociety.org.hk and provide your membership number, if applicable, at the time of registration.
Registration will be closed at 12 noon one day prior to the event date.