Edward Bangs Drew

Edward Bangs Drew joined the Chinese Maritime Customs Service in 1864 after earning his BA degree from Harvard. In 1868, Drew was appointed a Commissioner of the Service, a position he held for decades. During that time he collected photographs that document clothing, customs, and daily life in 19th century China, and of Drew's life and career, including family and social gatherings, public appearances, and events and ceremonies.

 A Chinese merchant's family, ca. 1886

  

 Anna Drew (second from left) with daughters Lucy and Dora 

and group of unidentified people, Canton, 1893

  

 Anna Drew having tea at home in Canton, ca. 1893

  

 Assu, amah, holding Lionel, 6 weeks old, Peking, March 9, 1890

  

 Cheong Loong merchants selling preserved ginger, Canton, ca. 1893

  

 Costumes. Chinese women, 1876-77

  

 Fancy dress party, Foochow [Fuzhou], ca. 1876

  

 Group of people outdoors posing among large rocks, somewhere near Canton, ca. 1893

  

 Group of Western women visiting unidentified site in China

  

 Group portrait of mostly German diplomats, interpreters, military officers, 

and a missionary posing with Chinese government officials in traditional dress

  

 Kidnapped girls, Foochow. Found hidden in a junk by customs inspector. 

These girls would have been sold for slaves. 1904

  

 Mrs. Wilkinson's school for the blind, Foochow city, 1905

  

 Roman Catholic orphanage (near or in Kiukiang); 

nun inspecting babies in the baskets, 1892