Lieutenant Colonel Eric Parker was born on June 16, 1896, in London, England. He was a British military Commander with the Indian government who led a little known expedition of approximately 200 Punjabi soldiers from Calcutta to Tibet in November 1921. In addition, Lt. Col. Parker conducted basic and advanced infantry training of Tibetan soldiers from January to March 1923 at the request of the Tibetan military. During his military career, Lt. Col. Parker corresponded with British diplomat, Sir Charles Bell, and various members of the Tibetan government, including the 13th Dalai Lama.
On January 2, 1923, Lt. Col Parker married in Calcutta and, with his wife, travelled back to Tibet on horseback where his training of Tibetan soldiers would begin. After his initial British disapproval, Lt. Col. Parker became accepting of the Tibetan culture and during this period of his life learned to speak in Tibetan, Urdu, Tamil, and Punjabi. The Parkers adapted to Tibet, living in both Yutang and Ganze. After Lt. Col. Parker was released from the military, the couple tried to stay on and establish a trading station, but lasted only one year. During their stay in Tibet the Parkers collected numerous objects, letters, and photographs that provide rare documentation of this period in Tibet’s history (i.e., before the Chinese invasion in 1950). Lt. Col. Parker died in 1988.
Lt. Col. Parker was in the Indian military at a significant time in Tibetan history. From 1918-1921, evidence suggests the Dalai Lama continued to forge closer ties to the British. Since the Simla Convention in 1914, Britain and Tibet had agreed to Chinese ‘suzerainty’ over Tibet, but China refused to ratify the pact and agree to the territorial divisions established. In 1918, fighting broke out between British-trained Tibetan troops and the Chinese, and was later followed by British attempts to mediate and discuss a Tibetan autonomy settlement. In 1920 to 1921, Sir Charles Bell went to Lhasa to urge better relations between Tibet and Britain. Despite Tibetan reluctance to accept further British influence, Charles Bell suggested increasing military aid to Tibet, and it was in 1923 that Lt. Col. Parker arrived to train the soldiers. In 1924-25, pressure from the monks caused the Dalai Lama to dismiss his British-trained officers. Tibetan independence lasted until the overthrow of the Republic of China by the Communists in 1949, and the establishment of the People's Republic of China.
In 2005, photographs and textual records, along with several objects, were donated to the Museum of Anthropology by Lt. Col. Parker’s daughter, Mrs. Mary Noble. Lt. Col. Parker’s grandson, Father Harry Donald, provided valuable contextual information and is currently preparing to write a history of his grandfather’s time in Tibet.
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Title based on provenance of fonds
The fonds consists primarily of material accumulated and/or created by Lt. Col. Parker during the period of his military duties in Tibet and time spent there after his release from the military (1921-1924). This material includes textual records such as correspondence relating to military matters with Sir Charles Bell, and those written to, and received from, Tibetan officers and the 13th Dalai Lama. A few letters written in Tibetan have been recently translated into English and are included in the fonds. Other textual materials includes handwritten speech and other notes, published documents such as an Almanac (written in Tibetan), newspaper clippings, and miscellaneous items such as philatelic materials and handwritten children's rhymes and songs.
The fonds also contains a collection of black and white photographs and negatives, the majority of which were images taken by Lt. Col. Parker, while others, predate Parker’s time in Tibet. The photographs are housed in two albums (Photograph Collections A and B), and show Tibet primarily in the 1920s. The images depict military and domestic scenes in Tibet including photographs of individuals from all social strata, as well as local architecture and landscapes. Some of the places (e.g., monasteries) no longer exist. The albums also contain more recent colour prints of the many Tibetan objects acquired by the Parkers (and now housed in the Ethnology Collection at the Museum of Anthropology). Some duplicates occur within and between albums. The negatives correspond to prints in one album (Photograph Collection A). Only a small number of negatives have not been printed.
The fonds is arranged in the following 3 series:
1. Correspondence
2. Photographs
3. Miscellaneous Materials
Arrangement of the textual material was imposed by the archivist (CY), while photographs were kept in their original order within two albums and designated as Collections A & B by Father Donald. These albums are now recognized as 'Photograph Collections A & B' or 'PCA and PCB'
Photographic records were acquired by the Museum of Anthropology by donation from Mrs. Mary Noble of Victoria, B.C. in August 2005. Mrs. Noble is the daughter of Eric Parker. An accrual of negatives and documents was made in October 2005
No further accruals are expected
Two compact discs were created by Lt. Col. Parker’s grandson, Father Donald, and contain scanned images of photographs and of all textual records (including translations and transcriptions). These discs are stored in Box 1.
A series, box/file are available. Item lists for Photograph Collections A & B are also included
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Series consists of two files of correspondence:
1. Military Period (1921-1923)
2. Other Correspondence (1961-1985)
Materials in the ‘Military Period’ file include ten letters written to, or by, Lt. Col. Parker while on duty as the Commander of the Military Forces in Tibet. Two other letters were written by Sir Charles Bell in which Bell arranges to meet up with Lt. Col. Parker and an escort on his return journey from Lhasa. One additional letter is handwritten in Tibetan and stamped with ‘British Trade Agency – Gyantse – Tibet’ (which suggests that it may be from Parker’s military period), but it is not kown who authored it or when it was created. Five of the letters are written in Tibetan and translations and transcriptions for four of the five letters are available in hard copy and on compact disc (see ‘Notes’).
Of significance among the letters written in Tibetan is correspondence from Lt. Col. Parker to the 13th Dalai Lama in which Lt. Col. Parker states that he has received and inspected the troops from the Dalai’s personal escort and suggests that they be kept for training. In this letter Lt. Col. Parker also raises question on military dress and deportment, specifically, the length of the officers’ hair (a translation of this letter was provided by Father Donald but no original copy of the translation exists). An original draft of this letter, written in English by Lt. Col. Parker, is also included in this file. A second letter is from the Dalai Lama to Lt. Col. Parker and is an acknowledgement of Parker’s training of Tibetan soldiers. This letter is written on rice paper and includes the Dalai’s official ink seal and an envelope with the Dalai’s wax seal and a postmarked Tibetan stamp. Three other letters were sent to Lt. Col. Parker from officials of the Tibetan government. These letters are also written on rice paper and ink stamped with official seals. The first of these letters is written by a member of the Tibetan Supreme Council (known as Shapes or Shapees) and is a response to Lt. Col. Parker’s questioning of hair length of the Tibetan troops, and includes explanations of cultural and religious differences. The second letter is from the minister responsible for the Tibetan military in which permission is granted for training of the Tibetan troops, and the sending of further troops to be trained. The third letter is written by two Tibetan Officers in which praise is given to one of their officers along with a request for his return. Of those letters mentioned above, translations and transcriptions are available for the letters written from the Dalai and the officials of the Tibetan government, and accompany the series.
The five other letters in this series include four that were typewritten by Lt. Col. Parker in English: two are from his military period; two others were written decades later to the editor of a publication. As mentioned above, one was written in Tibet and has not been translated. The two letters from his military period are lengthy and provide significant details of Lt. Col. Parker’s perceptions of his work, the people, the country, events and festivities and are an important accompaniment to many of the prints in Photograph Collection A.
Materials in the “Other Correspondence” file consist of more recent records. Two letters from 1961 relate to an address Lt. Col. Parker accepted to give to the Victoria Section of the Royal Over-Seas League about his experience in Tibet. The two other letters also relate to Lt. Col. Parker’s time in Tibet and were sent to the editor of “Country Life.” The first letter (dated 1966) describes Lt. Col. Parker’s unique experience of being the first European to see a Takin, “the rarest mammal in the world,” while the second letter (dated 1977) discusses a pony that Lt. Col. Parker bought in the early 1920s. The file also contains a letter (dated 1985) from the Office of Tibet in New York City acknowledging receipt of a donation for $20.00 along with a brief update on certain individuals. This letter is signed by two people; one, “T.C. Tethong,” was the translator for the 14th Dalai Lama in the 1960s.
ref # 4-1
File/box list available
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This file contains correspondence between Eric Parker and Charles Bell, the 13th Dalai Lama, and his wife Minnie Parker.
ref # 4-1-1
Box 1-1 and OS35
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This file contains correspondence between Eric Parker and Harold Nation, Tenzing Chhodak, and the editor of Country Life Magazine.
ref # 4-1-2
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This file contains reproductions of the correspondence from file 4-1-1
ref # 4-1-3
Originals are in file 3-1-1
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The series consists of over 600 hundred black-and-white photographs and negatives that relate to Lt. Col. Parker and his wife’s time in Tibet (1921- 1924), and a collection of more recent colour photographs of Tibetan objects that were collected by the couple. The majority of the b&w photographs were taken by Lt. Col. Parker during his military period, as well as the year following his release. The images depict military scenes, festivals and events, individual and group portraits, as well as various landscapes and architecture. Significant among these photographs are images of: the photographer who accompanied famed British climber, George Mallory; the Dalai Lama’s personal escort; and the first Lhasa Apso dogs out of Tibet. A small number of images (e.g., those of the Dalai Lama in 1910-1911) predate Lt. Col. Parker’s time in Tibet and are believed to have been given to him by some unknown person(s). The original photographs were not labelled; however, valuable contextual information has been provided by Father Donald, whose descriptions and commentary accompany a large number of these images (see Item List).
The prints are located in two photograph albums identified as Photograph Collections A & B. Photograph Collection A contains 243 b&w photographs, all of which are considered to be original prints. Although duplicates of images occur, these simply represent copies developed on different paper. It was reported (by Father Donald) that the last 48 photographs in this album were found loose and spread throughout Lt. Col. Parker’s papers. A total of 189 prints in Photograph Collection A have acetate negatives. Collection B contains 170 b&w photographs, of which all are considered original prints. A total of 67 b&w prints in Photograph Collection B have acetate negatives. Collection B also contains 74 colour photographs of artefacts to which there are no negatives. Duplicates of 68 b&w prints exist between the Photograph Collections A & B.
The series also includes 210 b&w negatives which correspond in number and sequence to print images found in Photograph Collection A: 193 negatives have corresponding prints; 17 negatives have no prints associated with them. A small number of negatives are duplicated. There are no negatives for the colour prints.
Accompanying the series is one compact disc (CD No. 5) consisting of 243 scanned b&w prints and 104 scanned negatives. The scanned prints also correspond in number and sequence to print images found in Photograph Collection A. Ten of the scanned negatives have acetate negatives but no prints associated with them; one scanned negative has neither acetate negative nor print (see Item List).
Foxing occurs on many of the photographs
The Series/File/Item lists have been constructed based on descriptions created by Father Donald
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Item is a photograph showing the 13th Dalai Lama, Thubten Gyatso (1876-1933), sitting in the centre with four men standing behind him. This photograph was taken at the Yutang trade agency when the Dalai Lama was going into self-imposed exile.
Emulsion has cracked.
Image exists as a print in both photograph albums A and B.
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Item is a photograph showing Thub-bstan-rgya-mtsho, or His Holiness the Dalai Lama XIII on the far left blessing citizens at the Yutang trade agency on his return to Lhasa. The Dalai Lama can be seen on the left at the very back of the gathering.
This photograph is also available in print form in both albums A and B.
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Item is a photograph showing Thubten Chökyi Nyima, or the Panchan Lama, seated in front of his monastery in Shigatse. He is wearing robes and has an item placed in his lap.
Photograph is available in print form in both albums A and B.
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Item is a photograph showing one man, the Kenchung, and his sectaries. Kenchung is the title given to the ecclesiastical Governor of the district surrounding Gyantse.
Photograph is available in print form in both albums A and B.
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Item is a photograph showing one man, the Oracle of Yutang, standing in front of a building.
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Item is a photograph showing an important figure and his escort posed in front of a building structure.
Photograph available in print form in both albums A and B.
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Item is a photograph showing one man, the Oracle of Gyentse, seated with two others standing behind. The men are wearing robes, and the two men standing are also wearing hats with large brims.
Photograph also exists in print form in Album A.
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Item is a photograph showing fifteen men in two rows in front of a wall. Most of the men are holding rifles.
Photograph is also in print form in album A and album B.
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Item is a photograph showing twenty-one men in three rows in front of a wall. Most of the men are holding riffles.
Negative is extremely dirty with some emulsion peeling at the edges.
Photograph is also in print form in album A and album B.
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Item is a photograph showing fourteen people, both men and women in two rows. The two women seated in the middle are wearing elaborate head dresses.
Negative is extremely dirty with some emulsion peeling at the edges.
Photograph is also available in print form in album A.
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Item is a photograph showing five people seated with other people in the background. The image depicts Rajah Terrng, the brother of the King of Tering, seated in the center and his family. From left to right is Rajah Tering's unidentified daughter, son Chigin, son Shimi and his unidentified wife. The two women on the ends are wearing head dresses.
Photograph is available in album A and album B.
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Item is a photograph showing one man, the Jongpen, in traditional clothing. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a jongpen is "a Dzongkha term roughly translated as governor or dzong lord".
Photograph is available in print form in album A.
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Item is a photograph of a landscape showing the Teesta valley and river.
Right side of negative is damaged.
Photograph is available in print form in album A.
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Item is a photograph showing a village next to a river with a bridge in the foreground.
Photograph is available in print form in album A.
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Item is a photograph showing two houses with thatched roofs.
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Item is a photograph showing people crossing a river on horseback. The horses are carrying large bundles.
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Item is a photograph showing houses scattered on a hill.
Photograph is available in print form in album A.
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Item is a photograph showing people walking through valley.
White residue on the negative.
Photograph is available in print form in album A.
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Item is a photograph showing a man on horseback and a child on a bridge. The title refers to the previous photograph, a033550, in which the road way to Gangtok had been washed out in a flood.
White residue on the negative.
Photograph is available in print form in Album A.
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Item is a photograph showing a hillside with houses scattered in the distance.
Photograph is available in print form in album A.
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Item is a photograph of the landscape with houses in the foreground.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
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Item is a photograph of a woman weaving on a loom with a cover constructed above her.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
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Item is a photograph of a the landscape with a house in the foreground.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
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Item is a photograph of a the landscape with a meadow in the foreground and hills in the background.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
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Item is a photograph of a the landscape with a meadow in the foreground and mountains in the background.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
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Item is a photograph of a the landscape from a mountain trail.
Photograph is available in print form in album A.
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Item is a photograph showing several houses and horses.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
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Item is a photograph showing houses and path winding down the hill. Although labeled Gnatong, this is most likely Phari or Tuna.
Photograph is available in print form in album A.
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Item is a photograph showing a landscape with a river in the foreground and mountains in the background. A single house is in the centre. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a <i>dak</i> is referred to as being "a post system by means of transport relays of horses stationed at intervals along a route or network, carrying mail and passengers". A dak bungalow refers to a lodging house, typically one story with a large verandah, along a dak route.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
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Item is a photograph showing a house situated in a forest.
Photograph is available in print form in album A.
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Item is a photograph showing Chumbi valley. Same image is shown in item a033564.
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Item is a photograph showing Chumbi Valley. Similar image is shown in item a033563.
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Item is a photograph showing horses carrying bails. Large structure in the background.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
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Item shows an image of a man, the Jongpen, seated on a raised platform with a crowd of people standing around below him.
Photograph is available in print form in album A.
Lieutenant Colonel Eric Parker was born on June 16, 1896, in London, England. He was a British military Commander with the Indian government who led a little known expedition of approximately 200 Punjabi soldiers from Calcutta to Tibet in November 1921. In addition, Lt. Col. Parker conducted basic and advanced infantry training of Tibetan soldiers from January to March 1923 at the request of the Tibetan military. During his military career, Lt. Col. Parker corresponded with British diplomat, Sir Charles Bell, and various members of the Tibetan government, including the 13th Dalai Lama.
On January 2, 1923, Lt. Col Parker married in Calcutta and, with his wife, travelled back to Tibet on horseback where his training of Tibetan soldiers would begin. After his initial British disapproval, Lt. Col. Parker became accepting of the Tibetan culture and during this period of his life learned to speak in Tibetan, Urdu, Tamil, and Punjabi. The Parkers adapted to Tibet, living in both Yutang and Ganze. After Lt. Col. Parker was released from the military, the couple tried to stay on and establish a trading station, but lasted only one year. During their stay in Tibet the Parkers collected numerous objects, letters, and photographs that provide rare documentation of this period in Tibet’s history (i.e., before the Chinese invasion in 1950). Lt. Col. Parker died in 1988.
Lt. Col. Parker was in the Indian military at a significant time in Tibetan history. From 1918-1921, evidence suggests the Dalai Lama continued to forge closer ties to the British. Since the Simla Convention in 1914, Britain and Tibet had agreed to Chinese ‘suzerainty’ over Tibet, but China refused to ratify the pact and agree to the territorial divisions established. In 1918, fighting broke out between British-trained Tibetan troops and the Chinese, and was later followed by British attempts to mediate and discuss a Tibetan autonomy settlement. In 1920 to 1921, Sir Charles Bell went to Lhasa to urge better relations between Tibet and Britain. Despite Tibetan reluctance to accept further British influence, Charles Bell suggested increasing military aid to Tibet, and it was in 1923 that Lt. Col. Parker arrived to train the soldiers. In 1924-25, pressure from the monks caused the Dalai Lama to dismiss his British-trained officers. Tibetan independence lasted until the overthrow of the Republic of China by the Communists in 1949, and the establishment of the People's Republic of China.
In 2005, photographs and textual records, along with several objects, were donated to the Museum of Anthropology by Lt. Col. Parker’s daughter, Mrs. Mary Noble. Lt. Col. Parker’s grandson, Father Harry Donald, provided valuable contextual information and is currently preparing to write a history of his grandfather’s time in Tibet.
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Item is a negative showing a group of Tibet soldiers standing in front of a stone wall.
Photograph is available in print form in album A.
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Item is a negative showing groups of villagers from the Chumbi Valley seated outside a wooden building and a stone wall.
Image exists as a print in both photograph albums A and B.
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Item is a negative showing the mountainous landscape of Yutang, with a large river in the foreground and mountains in the background. There is a bridge crossing the river. Photograph was taken looking towards Shasimar.
Photograph available in print form in album A and B.
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Item is a negative showing the mountainous landscape of Yutang with a large river in the foreground. There is a wooden bridge crossing the river.
Photograph is available in print form in album A and Album B.
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Item is a negative showing several snow covered wooden buildings, the 90th Punjabi quarters, nestled in front of the Yutang mountains. The landscape is covered in snow.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
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Item is a negative showing several snow covered mountains in Yatong. There are some wooden houses in the forefront of the image.
Photograph is available in print form in album A.
Notes in album B indicate location of Parker's house.
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Item is a negative showing a river running through the Chumbi valley. There is a bridge crossing the river, and some wooden structures to the left of the river. There are mountains in the background.
Photograph available in print form in album A and B.
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Item is a negative showing a small village next to a river. There is a large mountain in the background.
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Item is a negative showing a dirt road running down the village of Yutang. There are people walking along the road, and there are wooden structures on the left side of the road. There are mountains in the background.
Photograph available in print form in album A and album B.
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Item is a negative showing a snowy landscape of Yutang village. There are snow covered mountains in the background.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
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Item is a negative showing the new army barracks situated in the Chumbi valley. There is a river in the forefront and mountains in the background.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
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Item is a negative showing the new army barracks situated in the Chumbi valley. There are snow covered mountains in the background.
Water damage on the acetate side of the negative
Photograph available in print form in album A.
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Item is a negative showing a bridge crossing a river in the Chumbi valley. There are mountains in the background.
Bottom edge of negative is scalloped.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
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Item is a negative the entrance to Yutang village surrounded by wooden fence. Horses stand outside the fence. Ground and roof tops are snow covered.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
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Item is a negative showing the Shasiman village with a gathering of people in the foreground.
Photograph available in print form in album A and album B.
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Item is a negative showing snow covered houses surrounded by picket fence. There is a mountain in the background.
There is white residue on negative.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
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Item is a negative showing snow covered mountains in the background. There is a picket fence in the forefront of the image.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
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Item is a negative showing snow covered house with a mountain in the background. There is a picket fence in the forefront.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
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Item is a negative showing a group of men sitting in front of a house. There is a man, a Bhutanese trader, walking on a path in front of the house. There is a snow covered mountain in the background.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
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Item is a negative showing a two women, Vera Kamchi and Minnie Parker, standing in front of a tall wooden fence. The fence is in front of a large house with snow on the roof. There is a mountain covered in snow in the background.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
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Item is a negative of a one story building covered in snow. There is a mountain with trees in the background.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
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Item is a negative of a one story wooden building with windows. There are snow covered mountains in the background.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
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Item is a negative of the mountainous Chumbi Valley. There is a river in the forefront of the image.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
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Item is a negative of a landscape with a flowing river in the forefront and mountains in the background.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
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Item is a negative showing a landscape of mountains and sky.
Negative is dirty. There are white spots on the emulsion layer.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
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Item is a negative showing a landscape of a mountainside. There is a river flowing in front of the mountain, and a road winding up the mountainside.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
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Item is a negative showing a landscape of a mountainside. There is a wooden building nestled in the forefront of the image.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
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Item is a negative showing a landscape of a river running through a mountain valley.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
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Item is a negative showing a landscape of a river running down a hillside. There are several large rocks protruding out of the river.
Photograph available in print form in album A and B.
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Item is a negative showing a landscape of a river running down a hillside. The bottom left corner of the image is slightly obscured.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
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Item is a negative showing a man, Lt. Parker standing in front of his horse next to a river. Parker is faced away from the camera and is looking across the river. There are mountains in the background.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
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Item is a negative showing several ruins of stone buildings perched on a mountainside.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
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Item is a negative showing a river running through a mountain gorge.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
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Item is a negative showing a village located in the plains of Lingmatang.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
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Item is a negative showing the Amp Chu river in the forefront of the image with mountains in the background.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
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Item is a negative showing a close up of the Amp Chu river. There are mountains in the background.
Photograph available in print form in album A and B.
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Item is a negative showing a two women and a child posing in front of a mountain landscape. The child is seated on a donkey.
Photograph is available in print form in album A. There are brown spots starting to form on the photographic print.
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Item is a negative showing several people on horse back riding towards Mount Chumalabi. There is a wooden structure to the right of the image. There is snow on the mountain and on the ground.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
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Item is a negative showing the village of Phari. There are mountains in the background.
Negative is dirty.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
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Item is a negative showing the Phari village bazaar marketplace. Mount Chumalabi can be seen in the background.
Photograph available in print form in album A and album B.
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Item is a negative showing the Phari village in the midst of a blizzard. There is a herd of cattle grouped together to the left of the image.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
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Item is a negative showing the Phari village bazaar marketplace. Mount Chumalabi can be seen in the background.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
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Item is a negative showing a group of men and horses standing in front of an unidentified village.
Negative is dirty.
Photograph available in print form in Album A and Album B.
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Item is a negative showing a mountainous landscape. There are a group of horses and men at the bottom left hand side of the image.
Negative is scratched and has some cloudy spots.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
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Item is a negative showing a group of men and horses milling in front of an unidentified village. There are mountains in the background.
Photograph available in print form in album and Album B.
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Item is a negative showing a mountainous landscape.
Photograph available in print form in Album A and Album B
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Item is a negative showing a landscape. There is a river in the forefront and mountains in the background.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
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Item is a negative showing a landscape with mountains in the background. There is a statue of what appears to be a Buddha figure in the forefront of the image.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
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Item is a negative showing a landscape with mountains and a lake in the background. There is a grassy meadow in the forefront.
Negative is beginning to curl slightly.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
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Item is a negative showing a yak with large horns. There is a mountain in the background.
Negative is starting to curl slightly.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
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Item is a negative showing a large stone building with walls. There is a mountain in the background.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
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Item is a negative showing a small village in the distance. There are also mountains in the background.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
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Item is a negative showing a group of men standing in front of stone wall. There is a tent and another building behind them. There are also mountains in the background.
Negative contains some smudges on the top left corner.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
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Item is a negative showing a large building with several windows, a wide verandah, and two sets of staircases. There are two small field pieces at the foot of the staircase on the right left by the Younghusband expedition in 1906.
Negative is dirty and there are some fingerprint smudges on the bottom right hand side of the image.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
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Item is a negative showing a landscape with mountains in the background. Gyantse Fort can be seen on a large spur on the left side of the image.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
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Item is a negative showing a landscape with a river in the forefront and mountains in the background. The village of Gyantse can be seen on the right hand side of the image.
Negative is starting to curl slightly.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
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Item is a negative showing a head on look of the small village of Gyantse. There is a road in the forefront of the image where three 90th Punjabi soldiers walk ahead of a Tibetan solider on the right bank of the road. There are mountains in the background.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
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Item is a negative showing Gyanste Jong from a distance. Gyantse is also visible at the bottom lefthand side of the image.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
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Item is a negative showing Gyanste Jong from a distance.
Negative is dirty and starting to curl.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
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Item is a negative showing Gyanste Jong located at the top of a spur from a distance. There are several buildings at the bottom of the spur.
Negative is dirty and is starting to curl.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
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Item is a negative showing Gyanste Jong located at the top of a spur from a distance.
Negative is dirty and is starting to curl.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
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Item is a negative showing a Gyantse Fort, located on the top of a rocky spur. There are smaller buildings at the bottom of the spur.
Negative is starting to curl slightly.
Photograph available in print form in album A and album B.
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Item is a negative showing Gyanste Jong located at the top of a spur from a distance.
Negative is dirty.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
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Item is a negative showing a head on look of the small village of Gyantse. There is a road in the forefront of the image where three 90th Punjabi soldiers walk ahead of a Tibetan solider on the right bank of the road. There are mountains in the background.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
Scope and content updated in 2025 with notes from MOA Curator, Fuyubi Nakamura.
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The Palcho or Pelkor Chode Monastery, Gyantse.
The monastery’s main temple was built between 1418 and 1428 and its Kumbum stupa was completed in 1437, by ruler Rabten Kunzang Phak. Kumbum refers to “a hundred thousand images,” representing the number of deities depicted inside. Tsang Province in Gyantse is home to three renowned Kumbum stupas: Gyantse Kumbum—the largest—Jonang Kumbum, and Chung Riwoche Kumbum, all in proximity to the town of Shigatse.
Negative is starting to curl.
Photograph also exists in print form in Album A and album B.
published
Item is a negative showing Gyantse village from above. The town's monastery is visible in the centre of the image.
Negative is starting to curl.
Photograph also exists in print form in Album A.
published
Item is a negative showing Gyantse village. Gyanste Jong can be seen in the background. There are mountains in the distance.
Photograph also exists in print form in Album A.
published
Item is a negative showing Gyantse village. There are mountains in the distance.
Negative is dirty, making white spots visible on the image.
Photograph also exists in print form in Album A.
published
Item is a negative showing several buildings in the village of Gyantse.
Negative is starting to curl.
Photograph also exists in print form in Album A.
published
Item is a negative showing several buildings in the village of Gyantse.
Negative contains some fingerprint smudges and is starting to curl.
Photograph also exists in print form in Album A.
published
Item is a negative showing Gyantse's main temple.
Photograph also exists in print form in Album A and Album B.
published
Item is a negative showing a bird's eye view of the village of Gyantse. There are mountains in the distance.
Photograph also exists in print form in Album A and album B.
Scope and content updated in 2025 with notes from MOA Curator, Fuyubi Nakamura.
published
The Kumbum stupa and the main temple at the Palcho or Pelkor Chode Monastery, Gyantse.
Negative is dirty.
Photograph also exists in print form in Album A and Album B.
published
Item is a negative showing a bird's eye view of the village of Gyantse. There are mountains in the background.
Negative contains some fingerprint smudges in the center of the image and is starting to curl.
Photograph also exists in print form in Album A and album B.
published
Item is a negative showing the alter of the Gyantse monastery. There is a large Buddha sculpture behind the alter, and ornate carvings on the wall situated behind the Buddha sculpture.
Photograph also exists in print form in Album A and Album B.
published
Item is a negative showing the alter of the Gyantse monastery. There are three Buddha sculptures as well as ornate wall carvings behind the alter. There is also a large prayer wheel to the right of the alter.
Photograph also exists in print form in Album A and Album B.
published
Item is a negative showing the alter of the Gyantse monastery. There are three Buddhist sculptures as well as ornate wall carvings behind the alter. There is also is storage space for the Pacha (sacred Texts) to the left of the alter and a small prayer circle to the right of the alter.
Photograph also exists in print form in Album A and Album B.
published
Item is a negative showing a shrine in the Gyantse monastery.
Negative is dirty.
Photograph also exists in print form in Album A and Album B.
All photographs between a033645 and a033666 were taken at the celebration of Saka Dawa and the Gyantse horse race festival. The two festivals run back to back with the former starting on the 15th day of the four lunar month and the latter on the 18th day of the four lunar month. In the Iron Bird Year, these festivals fell in June 1922 of the solar calendar. For a better understanding of what L/Col. Parker though when taking these photos, one should [go] to letter #9 or #10.
published
Item is a negative showing a group of monks seated in from of a building. The monks are preparing for Saka Dawa, a sacred Buddhist holiday.
Photograph also exists in print form in Album A.
All photographs between a033645 and a033666 were taken at the celebration of Saka Dawa and the Gyantse horse race festival. The two festivals run back to back with the former starting on the 15th day of the four lunar month and the latter on the 18th day of the four lunar month. In the Iron Bird Year, these festivals fell in June 1922 of the solar calendar. For a better understanding of what L/Col. Parker though when taking these photos, one should [go] to letter #9 or #10.
published
Item is a negative showing two monks dressed in masks seated in front of a wooden post. There are groups of people milling in front of some buildings in the background.
Photograph also exists in print form in Album A.
All photographs between a033645 and a033666 were taken at the celebration of Saka Dawa and the Gyantse horse race festival. The two festivals run back to back with the former starting on the 15th day of the four lunar month and the latter on the 18th day of the four lunar month. In the Iron Bird Year, these festivals fell in June 1922 of the solar calendar. For a better understanding of what L/Col. Parker though when taking these photos, one should [go] to letter #9 or #10.
published
Item is a negative showing a group of monks dressed in masks and robes, situated around a wooden post. Some appear to be holding a drum. There are groups of people seated in front of a large wall, watching the monks in the background.
Negative is starting to curl.
Photograph also exists in print form in Album A.
All photographs between a033645 and a033666 were taken at the celebration of Saka Dawa and the Gyantse horse race festival. The two festivals run back to back with the former starting on the 15th day of the four lunar month and the latter on the 18th day of the four lunar month. In the Iron Bird Year, these festivals fell in June 1922 of the solar calendar. For a better understanding of what L/Col. Parker though when taking these photos, one should [go] to letter #9 or #10.
published
Item is a negative showing a monk wearing a mask with feathers protruding from the back. There is a large group of people watching in the background. A mountain in the far distance is also visible.
Negative is starting to curl.
Photograph also exists in print form in Album A.
All photographs between a033645 and a033666 were taken at the celebration of Saka Dawa and the Gyantse horse race festival. The two festivals run back to back with the former starting on the 15th day of the four lunar month and the latter on the 18th day of the four lunar month. In the Iron Bird Year, these festivals fell in June 1922 of the solar calendar. For a better understanding of what L/Col. Parker though when taking these photos, one should [go] to letter #9 or #10.
published
Item is a negative showing two monk wearing ornate headpieces, performing in front of a group seated in front of a building.
Photograph also exists in print form in Album A.
All photographs between a033645 and a033666 were taken at the celebration of Saka Dawa and the Gyantse horse race festival. The two festivals run back to back with the former starting on the 15th day of the four lunar month and the latter on the 18th day of the four lunar month. In the Iron Bird Year, these festivals fell in June 1922 of the solar calendar. For a better understanding of what L/Col. Parker though when taking these photos, one should [go] to letter #9 or #10.
published
Item is a negative showing a monk wearing a wide brimmed hat with feathers protruding from the top. There is a large group of people in the background, watching the monk.
Photograph also exists in print form in Album A.
All photographs between a033645 and a033666 were taken at the celebration of Saka Dawa and the Gyantse horse race festival. The two festivals run back to back with the former starting on the 15th day of the four lunar month and the latter on the 18th day of the four lunar month. In the Iron Bird Year, these festivals fell in June 1922 of the solar calendar. For a better understanding of what L/Col. Parker though when taking these photos, one should [go] to letter #9 or #10.
published
Item is a negative showing a man, the head Lama, wearing an elaborate head piece and robe. There is a large group of people milling on and in front of a building behind the Lama.
Photograph also exists in print form in Album A.
All photographs between a033645 and a033666 were taken at the celebration of Saka Dawa and the Gyantse horse race festival. The two festivals run back to back with the former starting on the 15th day of the four lunar month and the latter on the 18th day of the four lunar month. In the Iron Bird Year, these festivals fell in June 1922 of the solar calendar. For a better understanding of what L/Col. Parker though when taking these photos, one should [go] to letter #9 or #10.
published
Item is a negative showing three men posing for the camera. The man in the centre, the abbot, is wearing an elaborate head piece and robe. The man to his left is wearing a mask. There is a building in the background.
Photograph also exists in print form in Album A.
All photographs between a033645 and a033666 were taken at the celebration of Saka Dawa and the Gyantse horse race festival. The two festivals run back to back with the former starting on the 15th day of the four lunar month and the latter on the 18th day of the four lunar month. In the Iron Bird Year, these festivals fell in June 1922 of the solar calendar. For a better understanding of what L/Col. Parker though when taking these photos, one should [go] to letter #9 or #10.
published
Item is a negative showing a stone building with a large wall hanging off of it. The hanging appears to have an image of a Buddha on it.
Negative is starting to warp.
Photograph also exists in print form in Album A.
All photographs between a033645 and a033666 were taken at the celebration of Saka Dawa and the Gyantse horse race festival. The two festivals run back to back with the former starting on the 15th day of the four lunar month and the latter on the 18th day of the four lunar month. In the Iron Bird Year, these festivals fell in June 1922 of the solar calendar. For a better understanding of what L/Col. Parker though when taking these photos, one should [go] to letter #9 or #10.
published
Item is a negative showing a close up of the wall hanging described in negative a033653.
Photograph also exists in print form in Album A.
All photographs between a033645 and a033666 were taken at the celebration of Saka Dawa and the Gyantse horse race festival. The two festivals run back to back with the former starting on the 15th day of the four lunar month and the latter on the 18th day of the four lunar month. In the Iron Bird Year, these festivals fell in June 1922 of the solar calendar. For a better understanding of what L/Col. Parker though when taking these photos, one should [go] to letter #9 or #10.
published
Item is a negative showing a group of unidentified Tibetan children standing around waiting for the Gyantse annual horse race to go by. There are mountains visible in the distance.
Photograph also exists in print form in Album A.
All photographs between a033645 and a033666 were taken at the celebration of Saka Dawa and the Gyantse horse race festival. The two festivals run back to back with the former starting on the 15th day of the four lunar month and the latter on the 18th day of the four lunar month. In the Iron Bird Year, these festivals fell in June 1922 of the solar calendar. For a better understanding of what L/Col. Parker though when taking these photos, one should [go] to letter #9 or #10.
published
Item is a negative showing a line of men riding on horseback. The Jongpen, third in the line. His horse is being led by an unidentified person on foot and he is wearing a distinctive robe.
Photograph also exists in print form in Album A.
All photographs between a033645 and a033666 were taken at the celebration of Saka Dawa and the Gyantse horse race festival. The two festivals run back to back with the former starting on the 15th day of the four lunar month and the latter on the 18th day of the four lunar month. In the Iron Bird Year, these festivals fell in June 1922 of the solar calendar. For a better understanding of what L/Col. Parker though when taking these photos, one should [go] to letter #9 or #10.
published
Item is a negative showing a group of men walking on foot. The Jongpen of Gyantse, second from right, is wearing a light colored robe and a hat.
Photograph also exists in print form in Album A.
All photographs between a033645 and a033666 were taken at the celebration of Saka Dawa and the Gyantse horse race festival. The two festivals run back to back with the former starting on the 15th day of the four lunar month and the latter on the 18th day of the four lunar month. In the Iron Bird Year, these festivals fell in June 1922 of the solar calendar. For a better understanding of what L/Col. Parker though when taking these photos, one should [go] to letter #9 or #10.
published
Item is a negative showing a horse with a saddle and bridle. There is an unidentified man standing behind the horse, holding its head.
Negative is starting to curl.
Photograph also exists in print form in Album A.
All photographs between a033645 and a033666 were taken at the celebration of Saka Dawa and the Gyantse horse race festival. The two festivals run back to back with the former starting on the 15th day of the four lunar month and the latter on the 18th day of the four lunar month. In the Iron Bird Year, these festivals fell in June 1922 of the solar calendar. For a better understanding of what L/Col. Parker though when taking these photos, one should [go] to letter #9 or #10.
published
Item is a negative showing a group of people, some on horseback and some standing around the horses. Many of the men on horseback have a sling of arrows on their backs. A building and mountains are visible in the background.
Negative is starting to curl.
Photograph also exists in print form in Album A.
All photographs between a033645 and a033666 were taken at the celebration of Saka Dawa and the Gyantse horse race festival. The two festivals run back to back with the former starting on the 15th day of the four lunar month and the latter on the 18th day of the four lunar month. In the Iron Bird Year, these festivals fell in June 1922 of the solar calendar. For a better understanding of what L/Col. Parker though when taking these photos, one should [go] to letter #9 or #10.
published
Item is a negative showing a group of men on horseback. The men are wearing wide brim hats and some appear to be carrying slings of arrows.
Photograph also exists in print form in Album A.
All photographs between a033645 and a033666 were taken at the celebration of Saka Dawa and the Gyantse horse race festival. The two festivals run back to back with the former starting on the 15th day of the four lunar month and the latter on the 18th day of the four lunar month. In the Iron Bird Year, these festivals fell in June 1922 of the solar calendar. For a better understanding of what L/Col. Parker though when taking these photos, one should [go] to letter #9 or #10.
published
Item is a negative showing a close up of the men described in the previous photograph (a033662).
Negative is significantly curling.
Photograph also exists in print form in Album A.
All photographs between a033645 and a033666 were taken at the celebration of Saka Dawa and the Gyantse horse race festival. The two festivals run back to back with the former starting on the 15th day of the four lunar month and the latter on the 18th day of the four lunar month. In the Iron Bird Year, these festivals fell in June 1922 of the solar calendar. For a better understanding of what L/Col. Parker though when taking these photos, one should [go] to letter #9 or #10.
published
Item is a negative showing a man on horse back holding a weapon. The man appears to firing said weapon through a wooden structure. There are mountains visible in the distance.
Negative is significantly curling.
Photograph also exists in print form in Album A.
All photographs between a033645 and a033666 were taken at the celebration of Saka Dawa and the Gyantse horse race festival. The two festivals run back to back with the former starting on the 15th day of the four lunar month and the latter on the 18th day of the four lunar month. In the Iron Bird Year, these festivals fell in June 1922 of the solar calendar. For a better understanding of what L/Col. Parker though when taking these photos, one should [go] to letter #9 or #10.
published
Item is a negative showing a man on horse back holding a bow and arrow. He appears to be shooting an arrow at a target while his horse is galloping past said target.
Negative is dirty causing white spots to appear on the image.
Photograph also exists in print form in Album A.
All photographs between a033645 and a033666 were taken at the celebration of Saka Dawa and the Gyantse horse race festival. The two festivals run back to back with the former starting on the 15th day of the four lunar month and the latter on the 18th day of the four lunar month. In the Iron Bird Year, these festivals fell in June 1922 of the solar calendar. For a better understanding of what L/Col. Parker though when taking these photos, one should [go] to letter #9 or #10.
published
Item is a negative showing a man on horse back holding a bow and arrow. He appears to be shooting an arrow at a target while his horse is galloping past said target. This image is very similar to the previous image (image a033665) but is taken from a slightly different angle.
Photograph also exists in print form in Album A.
published
Item is a negative showing a man, the Lama, seated in front of a stone wall. He has a tablet with writing propped up in front of him.
Photograph also exists in print form in Album A.
published
Item is a negative showing a group of boys standing in front of a small building. Mr. Frank Ludlow, the school master who ran the Gyantse School for Tibetan Boys, is located on the far left. There are mountains visible in the distance.
Negative is starting to curl.
Photograph also exists in print form in Album A.
published
Item is a negative showing an unidentified man standing in front of building. There is another man standing to the left of the unidentified man.
Photograph also exists in print form in Album A.
published
Item is a negative showing four unidentified women. Two of the women are seated while the other two are standing. The women are wearing the Tibetan costumes and headpieces from the Lhasa region.
Photograph also exists in print form in Album A.
published
Item is a negative showing the Jongpen on the left, with his wife on the right. They are both dressed in Tibetan style of dress.
Negative is dirty and is curling.
Photograph also exists in print form in Album A.
published
Item is a negative showing the Jongpen's wife standing with a servant in front of a stone building. The wife is wearing an elaborate hat and jeweled earrings.
Negative is dirty and is significantly curling.
Photograph also exists in print form in Album A and Album B.
published
Item is a negative showing the Jongpen's wife standing with a servant in front of a stone building. The wife is wearing an elaborate hat and jeweled earrings. Both women are smiling.
Negative is dirty and is significantly curling.
Photograph also exists in print form in Album A and Album B.
published
Item is a negative showing the Jongpen standing with his wife on his right side and his sister on his left side.
Negative is curling.
Photograph also exists in print form in Album A and Album B.
published
Item is a negative showing the Jongpen's wife. Seated in front of her are three of her children. Standing to her left is a servant holding the Jongpen and is wife's youngest child.
Negative is curling.
Item exists as a print in Album A and album B.
published
Item is a negative showing four boys, the Jongpen's sons, posing for the camera.
Negative is curling.
Item exists in print form in Album A and Album B.
published
Item is a negative showing the Jongpen's wife seated in front of an unidentified man wearing a bowler hat. The man is holding a baby.
Negative is curling.
Item exists in print form in Album A and album B.
published
Item is a negative showing an unidentified baby propped up in a chair.
Negative is curling.
Item exists in print form in Album A and Album B.
published
Item is a negative showing the Jongpen's wife in full Tibetan dress. According to Parker, she is wearing jewelry worth approximately 2000 pounds sterling.
published
Item is a negative showing the Jongpen's wife in full Tibetan dress.
Photograph is available in print form in album A.
published
Item is a negative showing two unidentified women in full Tibetan dress. There is a cat or a small dog in front of the two women.
Negative is curling.
published
Item is a negative showing the same two women pictured in the previous image (a033682). One of the women is turned around to show the back of her dress.
Negative is curling.
published
Item is a negative showing a yak. There are mountains visible in the distance.
Negative is curling.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Parker's papers, this is the first photo taken of a [Takin] in Tibet and he was the first European to see these "strange creatures" which he referred to as the rarest mammal in the world. [See Repro letter 1-1-13 for more information].
published
Item is a negative showing a takin. Parker notes that this takin was live captured for Colonel F.M. Bailey and shipped to the London Zoo.
published
Item is a negative showing a white pony standing in front of a wooden fence. There appears to be a cow on the left hand side of the Lt./Col. Parker's horse. According to Parker, his pony was soft mouthed and not liked by the Tibetans.
published
Item is a negative showing a man, Lt/Col. Parke,r seated with his two dogs, Brownie and Guessie sitting beside him.
Viewer should refer to letter #9 [Repro 1-3-11] and #10 [Repro 1-3-12] for a better understanding of photos a033688 to a033695.
published
Item is a negative showing a Tibetan soldier standing in front of two army tents. There is a dog located just behind the soldier to his right hand side.
Viewer should refer to letter #9 [Repro 1-3-11] and #10 [Repro 1-3-12] for a better understanding of photos a033688 to a033695.
published
Item is a negative showing an unidentified Tibetan soldier standing in front of two army tents. There is a mountain in the background.
Photograph is available in print form in album A.
Viewer should refer to letter #9 [Repro 1-3-11] and #10 [Repro 1-3-12] for a better understanding of photos a033688 to a033695.
published
Item is a negative showing an unidentified man standing in front of several army tents. There is another man situated in the entry way of a tent located to the left of the man. There are more people milling around in the background.
Viewer should refer to letter #9 [Repro 1-3-11] and #10 [Repro 1-3-12] for a better understanding of photos a033688 to a033695.
published
Item is a negative showing a group of men milling around in front of several army tents. There are mountains in the background.
Viewer should refer to letter #9 [Repro 1-3-11] and #10 [Repro 1-3-12] for a better understanding of photos a033688 to a033695.
published
Item is a negative showing an unidentified Tibetan man. There appears to be a mountain in the background.
Viewer should refer to letter #9 [Repro 1-3-11] and #10 [Repro 1-3-12] for a better understanding of photos a033688 to a033695.
published
Item is a negative showing a group of soldiers forming two lines facing each other. The soldiers are carrying guns with bayonets. Mountains are visible in the distance.
Viewer should refer to letter #9 [Repro 1-3-11] and #10 [Repro 1-3-12] for a better understanding of photos a033688 to a033695.
published
Item is a negative showing a group of soldiers forming two lines, one in front of the other. The soldiers are in uniform and are carrying guns with bayonets.
Viewer should refer to letter #9 [Repro 1-3-11] and #10 [Repro 1-3-12] for a better understanding of photos a033688 to a033695.
published
Item is a negative showing a group of soldiers forming a line. The troops are dressed in uniform and are holding guns with bayonets. They are positioned as if they are firing their guns. There are more soldiers visible in the background.
Photograph is available in print form in album A.
published
Item is a negative showing a two level building. There is a stone wall with steps to the left of the building.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
published
Item is a negative showing a one level building with windows in front of a mountainous landscape.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
published
Item is a negative showing a close up of two small buildings shown in the previous image (negative a033697).
Photograph available in print form in album A.
published
Item is a negative showing three unidentified people standing on a roadside with a building with a covered porch to the north.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
published
Item is a negative showing a stone wall with a pathway leading up it. There are two buildings visible in the background.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
published
Item is a negative showing several small buildings as well as a road on a mountainside.
Photograph available in print form in album A and album B.
published
Item is a negative showing a snowy mountain landscape.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
published
Item is a negative showing a mountain river with mountains in the distance.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
published
Item is a negative showing a mountain river with mountains in the distance.
published
Item is a negative showing a man, Captain John Noel, bent over a camera on a tripod. There are men standing behind him, and there are mountains in the distance.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
published
Item is a negative showing three unidentified men standing in a row in front of a house with a covered porch. The men are in uniform and are carrying guns with bayonets. Another soldier, also in uniform, is standing slightly further down the line.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
published
Item is a negative showing three rows of unidentified Punjabi soldiers posing for the camera. They are posing in front of a tree with a mountain visible in the distance.
published
Item is a negative showing two groups of unidentified Punjabi soldiers standing at attention. There are two men standing in front of the groups, holding guns with bayonets. There are mountains in the background.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
published
Item is a negative showing a group photo of unidentified Punjabi soldiers posing on a mountainside.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
published
Item is a negative showing a group photo of unidentified Punjabi soldiers sitting and lounging along a roadside.
published
Item is a negative showing a group photo of unidentified Punjabi soldiers with horses sitting on a grassy valley. There appears to be a mountain in the background.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
published
Item is a negative showing three unidentified men crouched around a suitcase. There are more people milling around behind the three men, and there is a wall of building in the background.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
published
Item is a negative showing a busy marketplace in Gyantse. There are mountains in the background.
Negative is curling.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
published
Item is a negative showing a close up of a busy marketplace in Gyantse.
Negative is curling.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
published
Item is a negative showing several people walking in front of a market stall. Two people are carrying large baskets on their backs.
Negative is curling.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
published
Item is a negative showing a group of people standing in front of several buildings with windows. Gyantse city walls are visible in the background.
Negative is curling.
Photograph available in print form in album A.
published
Item is a negative showing a man [Lieutenant Colonel Parker?] standing next to a white horse. They are standing in front of a river.
published
Item is a negative showing an unidentified man standing with a horse in front of a snow covered landscape.
published
Item is a negative showing a mountain landscape. There is a tree in the forefront of the image.
According to Parker's grandson, Father Donald, the MacDonald/Perry wedding was the first western style wedding to take place in Tibet.
published
Item is a negative showing Annie MacDonald, daughter of Mr. David MacDonald, and F. Perry, former Escort Commander, seated in front of a large group of people. MacDonald is wearing a wedding dress and veil, and is holding a large bouquet of flowers. Perry is wearing a three piece suit with a boutineer.
According to Parker's grandson, Father Donald, the MacDonald/Perry wedding was the first western style wedding to take place in Tibet.
published
Item is a negative showing Annie MacDonald, daughter of Mr. David MacDonald, and F. Perry, former Escort Commander, seated in front of a large group of people. MacDonald is wearing a wedding dress and veil, and is holding a large bouquet of flowers. Perry is wearing a three piece suit with a boutineer.
published
Item is a negative showing Captain John Noel taking a photo of two unidentified Tibetan women in full dress in front of a stone building. There are other buildings in background.
published
Item is a negative showing a dak bungalow situated in a snowy mountain landscape.
Available as a print in Album A and in Album B
published
Item is a negative showing the same dak bungalow in the previous negative (negative a033725) but from a slightly different angle. The image shows dak bungalow situated in a snowy mountain landscape.
published
Item is a photograph showing a man and a woman adorned in white seated at a ceremony.
published
Item is a photograph showing people seated at tables outside under tents.
published
Item is a photograph showing a man mounted on a horse in the foreground with a built structure in the background.
published
Item is a photograph showing a person tending a field with a hoe being pulled by two oxen.
published
Item is a photograph showing a hillside.
published
Item is a photograph showing two horses and people stopped to drink water at a damn.
Negative is showing signs of acetate degradation.
published
Item is a photograph showing portions of three headstones at a cemetery.
published
Item is a photograph showing three women seated wearing white with flowers in their laps. Two children sit in front of them. A crowd of people are in the background.
published
Item is a photograph showing a man and a woman seated in ceremonial costume.
published
Item is a photograph showing a man and a woman seated in ceremonial costume.
Description created by Steve Weisman.
published
Item is a print of a seated man.
B & W print available in album B Similar to item a033535
Description created by Steve Weisman.
published
Item is a print of a seated man surrounded by eight standing men.
B & W print available in album B Similar to item a033538
published
Item is a photograph showing a man, Eric Parker, in military uniform wearing elbow height fur mittens, and fur hat. He is holding a telescope.
published
Item is a photograph showing a woman wearing a short leaved dress and bonnet standing in the snow for photograph.
published
Item is a photograph of a the landscape from a mountain trail.
Different photograph of the same event shown in item a033783
published
Item is a photograph showing a line of trees on the far side of the river. A village can be seen on the upper left side.
published
Item is a print showing a valley with a river.
Scope and content updated in 2025 with notes from MOA Curator, Fuyubi Nakamura.
published
A view from Hotel Mount Everest. The mountain in the photograph is not Everest or Qomolangma, but likely Kangchenjunga, viewed from Darjeeling, India
Photograph available in print form in album A.
published
Item is a photograph showing a hilltop with a structure made of sand bags. Many people are gathered on and around the structure.
Photograph has yellowed.
published
Item is a photograph showing open sided tents in the foreground and open fields in the background.
The photograph was printed twice and exists also in Album A.
published
Item is a photograph showing mountains.
Photograph has foxing and silver mirroring. It is also severely faded.
The photograph was printed twice and exists also in Album A.
published
Item is a photograph taken from the top of a mountain looking at the other mountains nearby.
The photograph was printed twice and exists also in Album A.
published
Item is a photograph showing mountains with a river running through a valley.
Photograph has foxing and silver mirroring. It is also severely faded.
The photograph was printed twice and exists also in Album A.
published
Item is a photograph showing the outside walls of city from a distance.
Photograph is severely faded.
The photograph was printed twice and exists also in Album A and in Album B.
published
Item is a photograph showing a large building on top of a hill. A large number of military personnel are gathered at the bottom.
Photograph has fading and yellowing.
published
Item is a photograph showing a military personnel on a lookout.
Photograph has severe yellowing and fading.
Item exists in print form in Album A and Album B.
published
Item is a photograph showing a field with large mountain behind.
published
Item is a photograph showing a rock wall in a field with large mountain behind.
Different photograph of the same event shown in item a033783
published
Item is a photograph showing a man standing in front of three dead big horn sheep.
Different photograph of the same event shown in item a033783
published
Item is a photograph showing a man standing in front of three dead big horn sheep.
Different photograph of the same event shown in item a033783
published
Item is a photograph showing a two people hold up several cranes. Four more cranes lay at their feet.
published
Item is a photograph showing a military personnel on a lookout.
Photograph has yellowed.
published
Item is a photograph taken from the top of a mountain or hill looking down onto a road. A large number of people are gathered.
Photograph has foxing and silver mirroring. It is also severely faded.
The photograph was printed twice and exists also in Album A.
published
Item is a photograph showing mountains and hills. Image taken from above.
Photograph has foxing and silver mirroring. It is also severely faded.
The photograph was printed twice and exists also in Album A.
published
Item is a photograph showing a man standing behind a white horse.
Photograph is also available in print form in album A.
Description created by Steve Weisman.
published
Item is a print of eight picnickers reclining outdoors; one person is standing to their left.
published
Item is a photograph showing a dog panting.
Photograph exists also in print form in album A.
published
Item is a photograph showing a winding river through a valley.
Photograph has been duplicated in Album A and in Album B.
published
Item is a photograph of a garden with a house barely visible in the background.
Photograph shows signs of silver mirroring.
published
Item is a photograph of a garden with a house-like structures in the background.
Photograph shows signs of silver mirroring.
published
Item is a photograph of a field with two horse and carts.
Photograph shows signs of silver mirroring.
published
Item is a photograph of a field with wagon tracks running through.
Photograph shows signs of silver mirroring.
published
Item is a photograph showing fields from a distance.
published
Item is a photograph showing a house on the right with a large wall on the left of the photograph. A man stands on top of the wall and another stands in the archway going through the wall.
Photograph shows signs of silver mirroring and brown spots.
published
Item is a photograph showing two buildings in the background with a field in the foreground.
Photograph shows signs of silver mirroring and brown spots.
published
Item is a photograph showing an ally or street in a village. People stand in the doorways of the buildings.
published
Item is a photograph showing two oxen working in a field. Large trees shadow the foreground.
published
Item is a photograph showing a nearly dry river bed with a village in the background.
Photograph is beginning to yellow.
published
Item is a photograph showing people gathered in an open area of the village.
Photograph is beginning to yellow.
published
Item is a photograph showing the city, photographed from a nearby hill.
published
Item is a photograph showing the rooftops of the buildings in a city.
Photograph has yellowed.
published
Item is a photograph showing the rooftops of the buildings in a city.
Photograph has yellowed.
published
Item is a photograph showing people gathered together outside in a city square or street.
Photograph shows signs of foxing.
The photograph was printed twice and exists also in Album A.
published
Item is a photograph showing a soldier holding a monkey in a city street.
Photograph is severely faded.
published
Item is a photograph showing a dog.
published
Item is a photograph showing a dog playing with a monkey.
published
Item is a photograph showing a dog grooming a monkey.
published
Item is a photograph showing a dog playing with a monkey.
published
Item is a photograph showing a dog playing with a monkey.
published
Item is a photograph showing two women and a man standing together in semi-formal attire for a photograph.
Photograph shows signs of foxing.
published
Item is a photograph showing two women and a man standing together in semi-formal attire for a photograph.
Photograph shows signs of foxing.
published
Item is a photograph showing two men posed in a palm tree wearing semi-formal attire.
Photograph shows signs of foxing.
published
Item is a photograph showing a man and a woman, Eric and Minnie Parker, wearing semi-formal attire posed for a photograph sitting in the grass.
Photograph shows signs of foxing.
published
Item is a photograph showing a man and a woman wearing semi-formal attire posed for a photograph sitting in the grass with their dog.
Photograph shows signs of silver mirroring.
published
Item is a photograph showing two women, a man, and their dog sitting in the grass.
published
Item is a photograph showing the area in front of a harbour. Steam ships can be seen in the background.
Print is heavily foxed.
published
Item is a photograph showing a man wearing a pith helmet posed for a photograph.
Print is showing signs of foxing.
published
Item is a photograph showing snow caped mountains in the background.
published
Item is a photograph showing a village. Snow is on the ground.
published
Item is a photograph showing a village on the far side of a river. A bridge is crossing the river.
published
Item is a photograph showing three houses with a snow-caped mountain behind.
published
Item is a photograph showing a hillside.
published
Item is a photograph showing a hillside.
published
Item is a photograph showing a river running through a valley.
published
Item is a photograph showing a horse stopping for a drink at a river.
published
Item is a photograph showing several shelters made from wood on the far side of a river.
published
Item is a photograph showing a frozen waterfall on the far side of the river.
published
Item is a photograph showing a stone house with thatched roof with an out building to the left.
published
Item is a photograph showing a an open field with people gathered and horses are resting.
published
Item is a photograph showing a an open field with people gathered and horses are resting.
published
Item is a photograph showing a an open field with a town in the background.
published
Item is a photograph taken from the top of a hill looking down on farm fields.
published
Item is a photograph showing the landscape of flat fields with mountains in the background.
Photograph shows signs of foxing.
published
Item is a photograph showing the outside wall around a city. Gyantse Jong can be seen on top of a hillside in the distance.
Photograph shows signs of foxing.
published
Item is a photograph showing houses built on the hillside.
Photograph shows signs of foxing.
published
Item is a photograph showing houses built on the hillside.
Photograph shows signs of foxing.
published
Item is a photograph showing a close up of the main entryway of a three story building.
published
Item is a photograph showing a close up of the architectural details on the rooftops of buildings.
published
Item is a photograph showing several people working in the field.
published
Item is a photograph showing people working with oxen in a field.
published
Item is a photograph showing people working with oxen in a field. Some of the people are wearing head dresses,
published
Item is a photograph showing people gathered outside of a large buildings on a cobble stone street.
published
Item is a photograph showing three women in wearing hats and robes.
published
Item is a photograph showing two people outside of a building.
published
Item is a photograph taken from above looking down onto a crowd.
published
Item is a photograph taken from above looking down onto a ceremony. A crowd is watching on the right and left sides of the photograph.
Scope and content updated in 2025 with notes from MOA Curator, Fuyubi Nakamura.
published
A scene from ritual dances known as cham. Performed by monks or lay practitioners during festivals, cham are a central aspect of Tibetan Buddhism. Making use of large masks and elaborate costumes which are carefully stored in monasteries when not being used, cham dances are performed to honour saints, subdue evils and offer blessings. There are a variety of regional dance styles.
published
Item is a photograph showing two people performing a dance.
published
Item is a photograph showing a dancer wearing a costume including a mask.
published
Item is a photograph showing a person wearing a traditional dress.
published
Item is a photograph showing a person wearing a traditional costume and mask.
published
Item is a photograph showing a three rows of people. Some people are wearing formal attire including headdresses.
published
Item is a photograph showing four women wearing formal attire including headdresses.
published
Item is a photograph showing a man and child in robes posed for a photograph. They are both wearing fedoras.
published
Item is a photograph showing three women. Two are in traditional attire.
published
Item is a photograph showing four women. Two of them are wearing the Gyantse region traditional headdress.
published
Item is a photograph showing a family. Two of the women are wearing the traditional headdress for the Gyantse region.
published
Item is a photograph showing a man standing with his dog in the snow.
published
Item is a photograph showing a woman and child in traditional dress from the Lhasa region.
published
Item is a photograph showing two men posed for a photograph near a wall.
published
Item is a photograph showing a man seated for photograph.
published
Item is a photograph showing a four men standing together. The two men in the centre are wearing military uniforms.
Same people as in item a033873.
published
Item is a photograph showing three rows of military officers.
Same people as in item a033873.
published
Item is a photograph showing three rows of military officers.
published
Item is a photograph showing a military officer in profile posed with his riffle. Four men sit in front of him on a bench.
published
Item is a photograph showing a two rows of military officers in profile posed with riffles.
published
Item is a photograph showing three men standing in front of rows of crates.
published
Item is a photograph showing fifteen men standing in a line in front of rows of crates.
published
Item is a photograph showing three men standing in front of rows of crates.
published
Item is a photograph showing several people standing and sitting around tables.
published
Item is a photograph showing a man in military uniform wearing fur mittens standing in the snow.
Different photograph of the same event shown in item a033882
published
Item is a photograph showing the landscape. There is a large group of people walking away from the photographer.
Different photograph of the same event shown in item a033884
published
Item is a photograph showing the landscape. There is a large group of people walking away from the photographer.
Different photograph of the same event shown in item a033783
published
Item is a photograph showing rows of soldiers standing at attention with riffles.
Description created by Steve Weisman.
published
Item is a print showing snow-capped mountains in the background and water and shoreline in the foreground.
Description created by Steve Weisman.
published
Item is a print showing snow-capped mountains in the background and water and shoreline in the foreground.
Yellowing on bottom half of print.
Description created by Steve Weisman.
published
Item is a print showing a soldier standing in front of a crowd of villagers.
Description created by Steve Weisman.
published
Item is a print of nine people reclining outdoors with mountains in the background. Names of people appear in the margins.
Description created by Steve Weisman.
published
Item is a print of a village and people in foreground and mountains and sky in background.
Description created by Steve Weisman.
published
Item is a print of a Tibetian man seated outdoors. Identified as "Shaswu Khusho" in album notes
Description created by Steve Weisman.
published
Item is a print of a building.
B & W print availble in album B
Description created by Steve Weisman.
published
Item is a print of a field in foreground, person, building and trees in background.
b & w print in album B
Description created by Steve Weisman.
published
Item is a print of camels loaded with bundles, people and a wall in the background.
B & W print available in album B.
Description created by Steve Weisman.
published
Item is a print of twelve military personnel posing outdoors in the foreground; trees and mountain in background
Description created by Steve Weisman.
published
Item is a print of thirty-nine military personnel posing outdoors with rifles in the foreground; trees and mountain in background
Description created by Steve Weisman.
published
Item is a print of fenced buildings in the foreground; trees and mountain in background
B & W print available in album A
Description created by Steve Weisman.
published
Item is a print of a plain in the foreground; trees and mountain in background
B & W print available in album A
Description created by Steve Weisman.
published
Item is a print of a dog on a path. A fence appears behind it.
B & W print available in album A
Description created by Steve Weisman.
published
Item is a stream. Trees and mountains appear in the background.
B & W print available in album A
Description created by Steve Weisman.
published
Item is a photo of trees and buildings. It is blurry.
B & W print available in album A
Description created by Steve Weisman.
published
Item is a photo of a village in foreground; mountains appear in background.
B & W print available in album A
Description created by Steve Weisman.
published
Item is a photo of a cat either behind or in front of an open weave screen; a human's legs appear behind it.
B & W print available in album A
Description created by Steve Weisman.
published
Item is a photo of a furry animal in front of an open weave screen.
B & W print available in album A
Description created by Steve Weisman.
published
Item is a photo of a woman seated outdoors holding four puppies. A doghouse appears behind. The setting is similar to that of Item a033782.
B & W print available in album A
Description created by Steve Weisman.
published
Item is a photo of a man seated outdoors holding a dog. A doghouse appears behind. The setting is similar to that of Item a033780.
B & W print available in album A
Description created by Steve Weisman.
published
Item is a photo of a military person standing in front of a building. It is overexposed.
B & W print available in album A
Description created by Steve Weisman.
published
Item is a photo of a member of the military personnel posing outdoors.
B & W print available in album A.
Description created by Steve Weisman.
published
Item is a photo of a member of the military personnel holding a whip posing outdoors. Two dogs are on his left.
B & W print available in album A.
Description created by Steve Weisman.
published
Item is a photo of four men posing outdoors. They are identified as Lhadine, Theji, Kung and Khenchung. Theji and Kung are wearing military uniforms.
The upper right corner of the photo is missing.
B & W print available in album A.
Description created by Steve Weisman.
published
Item is a photo of two women posing outdoors. Next to them and in the background are villagers, a building, a horse and mountains.
B & W print available in album A.
Description created by Steve Weisman.
published
Item is a photo of a landscape in the foreground; a mountain appears in the background.
B & W print available in album A.
Description created by Steve Weisman.
published
Item is a photo of a person and pack animal, seen from behind. They appear in the centre of the photo on a path amid trees.
B & W print available in album A.
Description created by Steve Weisman.
published
Item is a negative showing a building. This is similar to a033656, but this is from a perspective a bit more distant.
Description created by Steve Weisman.
published
Item is a negative showing a building. This is similar to a033655, but this is a closer up perspective.
Description created by Steve Weisman.
published
Item is a negative showing children posing outdoors in front of a building.
Negative is over exposed.
Description created by Steve Weisman.
published
Item is a negative showing four men seated outdoors; two other men and two children are standing behind them
Description created by Steve Weisman.
published
Item is a negative showing a valley. It appears to be taken from a window as it is framed at the sides and top.
Description created by Steve Weisman.
published
Item is a negative showing women, children and one man posing outdoors. Other villagers, two loaded pack animals, a road, a fence, and a valley appear in the background.
The top right corner has a small hole.
Description created by Steve Weisman.
published
Item is a negative showing children wearing light coloured hats and holding light coloured flags posing in front of a building. Behind them appear older men without the hats or flags.
Description created by Steve Weisman.
published
Item is a negative of women and children posing outdoors; buildings and mountains appear in the background.
Description created by Steve Weisman.
published
Item is a negative showing trees, mountains and the sky.
Description created by Steve Weisman.
published
Item is a negative showing a building, mountains, trees, and the sky.
Description created by Steve Weisman.
published
Item is a print of two men posing outdoor; other men appear in the background.
Lower left corner of photograph is missing.
B & W photograph available in album A
published
Photograph appears to depict a stream with rocky banks. The image is blurry.
B & W print available in album A
published
Series consists of four files:
1. Publications
2. Other Materials
3. Speech Notes
4. General Notes
One accompanying compact disc contains scanned images of the Almanac, map, children’s rhymes, two Tibetan songs, and a verse for a New Year’s toast, and philatelic materials.
The Almanac has one detached leaf, and the Tibetan map is stained and most of the folds are torn
published
The ‘Publications’ file consists of one bound, 59-page Almanac with pages wood block-printed with Tibetan text. A folded rice paper envelope accompanies the Almanac and has a handwritten annotation that reads, “Almanac of Iron Bird Year from Feb 28, ’21 to Mar 2, ’22.” Supplementary information provided by Father Donald indicates that this Almanac was printed specifically for British/Indian government use, although its contents is unknown. Also included in this file is a published map of Tibet titled, “North-Eastern Frontier,” and dated July 1905. Of significance is the map’s close temporal association with the (Francis) Younghusband Expedition of 1904, a famous military mission to Tibet. The file also includes more recent materials such as two newspaper clippings (1974; n.d.), a program guide to a service held for the Dalai’s visit to Vancouver (1980), a newspaper (“News Tibet,” 1988), and two newsletters (1988, 1989).
ref # 4-3-1
published
The ‘Publications’ file consists of one bound, 59-page Almanac with pages wood block-printed with Tibetan text. A folded rice paper envelope accompanies the Almanac and has a handwritten annotation that reads, “Almanac of Iron Bird Year from Feb 28, ’21 to Mar 2, ’22.” Supplementary information provided by Father Donald indicates that this Almanac was printed specifically for British/Indian government use, although its contents is unknown. Also included in this file is a published map of Tibet titled, “North-Eastern Frontier,” and dated July 1905. Of significance is the map’s close temporal association with the (Francis) Younghusband Expedition of 1904, a famous military mission to Tibet. The file also includes more recent materials such as two newspaper clippings (1974; n.d.), a program guide to a service held for the Dalai’s visit to Vancouver (1980), a newspaper (“News Tibet,” 1988), and two newsletters (1988, 1989).
ref # 4-3-2
published
The ‘Speech Notes’ consist of handwritten notes on Tibet written for a talk Col. Parker was to make to the Royal Overseas League in Victoria, B.C., on 8 May 1961. Included are notes on Tibet’s history, population, Parker’s journeys through the country, Gyantze, Lhasa, religion, trade, troops, and the ‘wheel of life’ among other topics. A second set of notes gives a brief outline of his military life (most in India) up to 1947.
ref # 4-3-3
published
The ‘General Notes” include eight leaves that appear to be written by Col. Parker, but are not dated. They include notes on such topics as ‘the moral code’, ‘2 cycles of time’, ‘Lhasa cathedra’, ‘Eight Fold Path’, and lists that include categories such as, ‘journey’, ‘country’, ‘weather’, ‘sport’, ‘people’, ‘customs’, etc..
ref # 4-3-4