Edward Bangs Drew joined the Chinese Maritime Customs Service in 1864
after earning his BA degree from Harvard. In 1868, Drew was appointed a
Commissioner of the Service, a position he held for decades. During that
time he collected photographs that document clothing, customs, and
daily life in 19th century China, and of Drew's life and career,
including family and social gatherings, public appearances, and events
and ceremonies.
A Chinese merchant's family, ca. 1886
Anna Drew (second from left) with daughters Lucy and Dora
and group of unidentified people, Canton, 1893
Anna Drew having tea at home in Canton, ca. 1893
Assu, amah, holding Lionel, 6 weeks old, Peking, March 9, 1890
Cheong Loong merchants selling preserved ginger, Canton, ca. 1893
Costumes. Chinese women, 1876-77
Fancy dress party, Foochow [Fuzhou], ca. 1876
Group of people outdoors posing among large rocks, somewhere near Canton, ca. 1893
Group of Western women visiting unidentified site in China
Group portrait of mostly German diplomats, interpreters, military officers,
and a missionary posing with Chinese government officials in traditional dress
Kidnapped girls, Foochow. Found hidden in a junk by customs inspector.
These girls would have been sold for slaves. 1904
Mrs. Wilkinson's school for the blind, Foochow city, 1905
Roman Catholic orphanage (near or in Kiukiang);
nun inspecting babies in the baskets, 1892