1938 Shanghai China Christmas Card Photo Race...

Updated September 26, 2026

This auction ended on September 29, 2026. See upcoming auctions from Period Americana or current pottery, china & glass auctions.
Lot number9
Estimate30.00 - 60.00 USD
CategoryPottery, China & Glass
AuctionSale 260929
DateSeptember 29, 2026 at 10:00 PM EDT
Auction housePeriod Americana
LocationBoston, Massachusetts

Course Dragon Ephemera. Originating from pre-WWII Shanghai, China, in 1938, this rare and historically significant 6.25-by-5.25-inch Christmas greeting card features a textured paper cover adorned with a tipped-in real photo print of the Shanghai Race Club, Race Course, and Grand Theatre along Bubbling Well Road, framed by Chinese characters, a traditional dragon illustration, and an original silk cord tassel tie. Published by an unattributed commercial stationer, the interior opens to period pidgin-English verse, Year of the Rat artwork, a pencil-dated "1938" top margin, and an ink signature reading "Monty," serving as a remarkable primary-source artifact for collectors of pre-war China, Shanghai expatriate history, and Asian holiday ephemera. The card presents in fair to good vintage condition, retaining a clear interior insert and photographic print despite age-appropriate flaws including front cover age toning, light edge creasing, corner wear, and significant paper skinning with adhesive residue and surface layer loss on the back cover from prior album mounting.

1938 Shanghai China Christmas Card Photo Race...

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