Vintage Chinese Bell Beacon Hill Park Victoria BC Postcard - Old Guns and Torpedo - SP22
Fascinating vintage hand-tinted postcard featuring the historic Chinese Bell display at Beacon Hill Park in Victoria, British Columbia. This charming scene showcases the famous bell alongside old military artillery, creating a unique blend of Asian and British colonial history.
Historic Details:
- The "Chinese Bell" cast in 1627, taken from a Chinese Temple during the Boxer Rebellion
- Presented to the city of Victoria in 1903 by Lieutenant Macdonald of H.M.S. "Pique" of the Chinese Station
- Gift facilitated through Mr. Charles Hayward
- Bell housed in white gazebo pavilion with distinctive red pagoda-style roof
- Old military guns (cannons) and torpedo displayed on the lawn
- Canadian patriotic emblem with Union Jack and Red Ensign flags with maple leaf
- Lush parkland setting with evergreen trees
- Published by H. Louch, Victoria, B.C.
- Catalog number: 17
- Made in U.S.A.
The back of the postcard provides detailed historical context about this remarkable artifact, explaining its journey from a Chinese temple to becoming a cherished piece of Victoria's heritage. The combination of the Chinese bell with British military artifacts reflects Victoria's complex colonial history and connections to the British Empire's presence in Asia.
Condition: Unused with age-appropriate wear and vintage patina. Clean back with historical text and postage information.
Postcard SP22