Photo Diary of German Envoy Alfons von Mumm
This book features a collection of photos taken by Alfons von Mumm, then German ambassador to China, between July 1900 and July 1902, when he toured Shanghai, Tianjin, Beijing, Guangzhou, Macau, Shantou, and Xiamen, witnessing urban life throughout the country. The photos are historically valuable because they depict many major events of contemporary Chinese history.
Cheng Wei, a Chinese writer residing in Germany who acquired original photographs, introduced Alfons von Mumm as “a core figure who helped solve the disturbances of 1900 and sign the International Protocol of 1901 through diplomatic means.” In 1902, Mumm returned home and published a photo book featuring more than 600 pictures from China, at his own expense. In the preface, he explained his aim to offer a chance for his friends, relatives, and coworkers to gain deeper understanding of the far-off nation of China.
Cheng pointed out that Mumm was a level-headed diplomat, who was committed to serving the Kaiser and his country. Nevertheless, he developed his own strong opinions about China. After the International Protocol of 1901 was signed, he made his thoughts on the matter clear: “We sought the wrong thing, which has been accomplished (Man hat das Falsche verlangt und erhalten).”
Min Jie from the Research Institute of Modern History under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences selected 360 photos out of the 600-plus pictures from Mumm’s photo album and added a great deal of detail about each of them. He evaluates these photos in the postscript, “In 1900, the Eight-Power Allied Forces invaded China, bringing along streams of foreigners. The photos taken by Westerners that year may far outnumber the total taken across the 60 years since the Opium War in 1840. However, the majority were shot in Beijing and Tianjin. Mumm stayed in China for two years on official business, and his diplomatic position afforded him great privilege to travel to many places foreigners were prohibited to visit.”
Min adds, “Don’t forget Mumm was a politician. He chose to publish the pictures that supported his points of view. For example, he chose a photo of a train breaching the city wall at Zhengyang Gate to open the chapter about Beijing. This city gate served as the first gate in traditional national etiquette during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), or the gateway of China in Beijing. Such a design symbolizes that the Qing court’s stubborn rejection of global civilization was overcome by great force – a point of great pride of the Westerners after their victory. The photos aren’t as alive if we fail to properly read between lines.”
Alfons von Mumm (1859-1924), a German diplomat and statesman, was appointed Minister Counselor to China in July 1900. Translator Cheng Wei worked as a writer and a TV producer before moving to Germany in 1993. Many of his works have been published and adapted for the small screen. Min Jie serves as a research fellow at the Research Institute of Modern History under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. He has been collecting photographs from the Qing Dynasty as part of an effort to illustrate history with photos. His most noted compilations include Illustrated Handbook of 700 Celebrities in the Late Qing Dynasty and The Revolution of 1911 Through the Lens.
Badaling section of the Great Wall. Enjoying unique topography of a mountain pass, Badaling had been a point of military importance throughout history. Walls were first built around this area as early as the Warring States period (475-221 B.C.), and complete construction started during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).
A Beijing street puppet show.
A Beijing stand for fruits.
The Tianjin Drum Tower. Built during the reign of Emperor Hongzhi of the Ming Dynasty, the city gate opened and closed to the drum beats.
Macao: St. Peter's Church.
Nanjing's city gate. Nanjing takes pride in the most magnificent city wall in the country.
The Pearl River Delta features crisscrossing rivers, deep water, and wide harbors, making it ideal for shipping since ancient times.
Shanghai: The Bund. During the late 19th Century, rickshaws, barrows, and Westernstyle carriages were the main means of transportation in the city.