French Motor Expedition to China, Tibet, Mongolia, and the Gobi Desert Regions Photograph Album, ca. 1914-1916

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Summary

Abstract:
The album, containing 282 uncaptioned black and white photographs ca. 1914-1916, is a record of a journey undertaken by a French expedition via automobile through China, Tibet, and Mongolia.
Extent:
.3 linear feet (1 oversize box)
Language:
English.
Preferred citation:

French Motor Expedition to China, Tibet, Mongolia, and the Gobi Desert Regions Photograph Album. Bernath Mss 81. Department of Special Collections, Davidson Library, University of California, Santa Barbara.

Background

Scope and content:

A cloth-covered, oblong album containing 282 b/w photographs [n.d. ca 1914-6, uncaptioned]. The album is a record of a journey undertaken by a French expedition via automobile through China, Tibet, and Mongolia. Photographs appear to be in sequential order of the journey from its beginning in Peking (Beijing) to various destinations in Tibet, Mongolia, and the Gobi desert areas. The first large photo shows a compound flying the French flag. In others, the various members of the expedition pose with a number of Chinese, along with their early Model T Ford touring cars loaded with expedition supplies. The photos record various sights, people and unusual things that the members of the expedition saw including: Tibetan Lamas, camel caravans, entertainers on tall stilts, dusty towns, including one fort-like compound flying the French flag. The expedition progress to the Great Wall, with photographs of Mongolian yurts, a team of Mongolian ponies extracting one of the cars which was apparently stuck in the soft sand, visits among the Mongols showing people in traditional costume.

The next series of photos shows the arrival at a desert oasis and an elaborate walled compound. Also featured are views of desolate and isolated towns, photo-portraits of Mongolian horsemen, lots of scenery and panoramic views, the cars being ferried across a river, Buddhist lamaseries, poses with Lamas, holy temples, walled cities, Buddhist priests, and areas of snowy terrain. There are also photos of Mongolian families in elaborate costume before their yurts. Finally there is a series of photos showing the expedition's arrival at the "Pioneer Inn" in an undisclosed location. Other photos include Mongol archers, "Devil Dancers," religious ceremonies and gigantic painted thankas displayed in a grand festival. Also, great mounds of yak skins for sale, camel caravans, musicians and men praying, a large drum cart, lion dances, photos a Lama with family members, large Buddhist altars, and tents.

There is no container list for this collection.

Acquisition information:
Purchase, 2003.
Physical location:
Del Sur Oversize.
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

None.

Terms of access:

Copyright has not been assigned to the Department of Special Collections, UCSB. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Department of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which also must be obtained.

Preferred citation:

French Motor Expedition to China, Tibet, Mongolia, and the Gobi Desert Regions Photograph Album. Bernath Mss 81. Department of Special Collections, Davidson Library, University of California, Santa Barbara.

Location of this collection:
UC Santa Barbara Library
Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9010, US
Contact:
(805) 893-3062
special@library.ucsb.edu
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