Coolies Collection

To Bombay and China on a P&O Steamship, 1886. Creator: Unknown. To Bombay and China on a P&O Steamship, 1886
To Bombay and China on a P&O Steamship, 1886. From "The Graphic. An Illustrated Weekly Newspaper Volume 33. January to June, 1886"

Street View in San Francisco, from a sketch by a correspondent, 1850. Creator: Unknown
Street View in San Francisco, from a sketch by a correspondent, 1850. The California Gold Rush brought a flood of "forty-niners" to San Francisco

Rubber Plantation - Malaysia - Overseer and Coolies. Date: circa 1910s

Man wearing a straw coolie hat sits on a stool, Hong Kong
A man wearing a straw coolie hat sits on a stool on small sampan wooden boat in Hong Kong. He is barefoot, holds the oars, wears a coolies hat and has a cigarette in his hand

Laos - Forest Coolies (Labourers) in the Upper Mekong region
Laos - Forest Coolies (Labourers - derogatory term) in the Upper Mekong region of the Khas Kouenes tribe. Date: circa 1908

Rubber Tree to Finished Motor Tyres 1907
Showing the plantation where the rubber is produced for the Dunlop Tyres factory where it is pressed, stretched and moulded into shape ready to be used on motorcars. Date: 1907

Coolies at breakfast, c. 1908 (b/w photo)
3482681 Coolies at breakfast, c.1908 (b/w photo) by Mahadeo, S. (fl.1908); Royal Society for Asian Affairs, London, UK; (add.info.: group of Indian men squatting in church compound (St Mary's)

The Chin-Lushai Expedition--The Meean Mir Coolie Corps at Calcutta Waiting to be Shipped, 1890. Creator: Unknown
The Chin-Lushai Expedition--The Meean Mir Coolie Corps at Calcutta Waiting to be Shipped, 1890

Coolies transporting Elephants Tusks to the Sea Coast, Cape Colony (engraving)
1055106 Coolies transporting Elephants Tusks to the Sea Coast, Cape Colony (engraving) by Durand, Godefroy (1832-1896); Private Collection; (add.info)

Spring Festival on the River (detail), handscroll (ink and colour on silk)
3931007 Spring Festival on the River (detail), handscroll (ink and colour on silk) by Chinese School, Qing dynasty (18th century); 29.8x1004.6 cm; Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

The Japanese Military Expedition to Formosa (engraving)
1053079 The Japanese Military Expedition to Formosa (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Japanese Military Expedition to Formosa)

With the Allies in China, a Mixed Team of Cossacks and Coolies drawing an Ammunition Cart (litho)
1040141 With the Allies in China, a Mixed Team of Cossacks and Coolies drawing an Ammunition Cart (litho) by Dadd, Frank (1851-1929) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: With the Allies in China)

The Rising in Pahang, further India, Views in the Concession of the Pahang Corporation (engraving)
1055851 The Rising in Pahang, further India, Views in the Concession of the Pahang Corporation (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Rising in Pahang)

"Canterbury Week"in Calicut, South-West India (engraving)
1055709 " Canterbury Week" in Calicut, South-West India (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: " Canterbury Week" in Calicut)

A Ride in a Ceylonese Tricycle (engraving)
1063183 A Ride in a Ceylonese Tricycle (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: A Ride in a Ceylonese Tricycle)

Chinese Coal Miners, c. 1867-72 (b / w photo)
473728 Chinese Coal Miners, c.1867-72 (b/w photo) by Thomson, John (1837-1921); Private Collection; (add.info.: Coal mining near Patung in Hubei province, central China.); Scottish, out of copyright

Working elephants and estate coolies, India, c. 1880 s
Working elephants and estate coolies, India, c.1880 s

Chinese Hawkers, c. 1870 (b / w photo)
NUL239729 Chinese Hawkers, c.1870 (b/w photo) by Thomson, John (1837-1921); Private Collection; Scottish, out of copyright

Boats Docking at Hachikenya (Hachikenya chakusen no zu) (colour woodblock print)
5043614 Boats Docking at Hachikenya (Hachikenya chakusen no zu) (colour woodblock print) by Hiroshige, Ando or Utagawa (1797-1858); Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, UK; (add.info.: Docking scene)

Chinese Immigrants working on the gold fields, 1849 (coloured engraving)
PNP246171 Chinese Immigrants working on the gold fields, 1849 (coloured engraving) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; Peter Newark American Pictures; American, out of copyright

Ascending a mountain in China with coolies
Ascending a mountain in China, with coolies expertly assisting the visitors, carrying them along in bamboo chairs. 1859

Transport of Trees in the Forests of the Himalayas (engraving)
1595297 Transport of Trees in the Forests of the Himalayas (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Transport of Trees in the Forests of the Himalayas)

With the Allied Forces in China (litho)
1593320 With the Allied Forces in China (litho) by Schonberg, Johann Nepomuk (1780-1863) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: With the Allied Forces in China)

A Chino-Russian Frontier Post in Manchuria, Coolies entering Russian Territory (litho)
1598683 A Chino-Russian Frontier Post in Manchuria, Coolies entering Russian Territory (litho) by Frenzeny, Paul (1840-1902); Private Collection; (add.info)

The War in Egypt, Notes at Bombay, preparing for the Departure of the Indian Contingent (engraving)
1061090 The War in Egypt, Notes at Bombay, preparing for the Departure of the Indian Contingent (engraving) by Ralston, William (1848-1911) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: The War in Egypt)

The War in the Soudan (engraving)
1591067 The War in the Soudan (engraving) by Paget, Walter (1863-1935); Private Collection; (add.info.: The War in the Soudan. Illustration for The Illustrated London News, 25 April 1885)

Foot-Race at Canton by Coolies of the Military Train (engraving)
1619236 Foot-Race at Canton by Coolies of the Military Train (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Foot-Race at Canton by Coolies of the Military Train)

British Liberal Prime Minister Henry Campbell-Bannerman making a speech at the Royal Albert Hall, London (litho)
6014074 British Liberal Prime Minister Henry Campbell-Bannerman making a speech at the Royal Albert Hall, London (litho) by English School

Spring Festival on the River (detail), handscroll (ink and colour on silk)
3525842 Spring Festival on the River (detail), handscroll (ink and colour on silk) by Chinese School, Qing dynasty (18th century); 29.8x1004.6 cm; Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Coolies Tapping Rubber, Ceylon, c. 1900-20 (hand-coloured photograph)
3474162 Coolies Tapping Rubber, Ceylon, c.1900-20 (hand-coloured photograph) by PlAtA©, Ltd. Ceylon (fl.1900-20); Royal Society for Asian Affairs, London

Notes from an Officers Diary in Cashmere (engraving)
1061841 Notes from an Officers Diary in Cashmere (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Notes from an Officers Diary in Cashmere)

Arrest of Japanese spies discovered as coolies, illustration from
3039663 Arrest of Japanese spies discovered as coolies, illustration from Cassells History of the Russo-Japanese War Vol 1, c.1900 by Woodville

Group of Soldiers and Coolies at Palikao on the Road to Pekin (engraving)
1039283 Group of Soldiers and Coolies at Palikao on the Road to Pekin (engraving) by Fripp, Charles Edwin (1854-1906); Private Collection; (add.info)

Odd phases of life that attract travelers to the West Indies (b / w photo)
6002618 Odd phases of life that attract travelers to the West Indies (b/w photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Sh?no: Driving Rain (Sh?no, hakuu) (colour woodblock print)
5043657 Sh?no: Driving Rain (Sh?no, hakuu) (colour woodblock print) by Hiroshige, Ando or Utagawa (1797-1858); Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, UK; (add.info.: Shono-Sudden Rain)

The Transvaal War, Scenes at the Front (b / w photo)
1593012 The Transvaal War, Scenes at the Front (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Transvaal War, Scenes at the Front)

The Advance of Civilisation in East Africa, Scenes on the Uganda Railway (b / w photo)
1598344 The Advance of Civilisation in East Africa, Scenes on the Uganda Railway (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

The Coolie Question in South Africa (engraving)
1606846 The Coolie Question in South Africa (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Coolie Question in South Africa)

Spring Festival on the River (detail), handscroll (ink and colour on silk)
3931006 Spring Festival on the River (detail), handscroll (ink and colour on silk) by Chinese School, Qing dynasty (18th century); 29.8x1004.6 cm; Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

With the Lushai Expedition (engraving)
1626730 With the Lushai Expedition (engraving) by Loye, Charles Auguste (Montbard) (1841-1905); Private Collection; (add.info.: With the Lushai Expedition)

The British Marine and the Chinese Looters, an Incident at the European Settlement of Anping, Formosa (engraving)
1056494 The British Marine and the Chinese Looters, an Incident at the European Settlement of Anping, Formosa (engraving) by Ralston

Tea Culture in India (engraving)
1044556 Tea Culture in India (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Tea Culture in India)

Coolies (engraving)
3654059 Coolies (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Coolies. Illustration for The Imperial Gazetteer, A General Dictionary of Geography (Blackie)

Excitement of Mahomedans at Capetown, South Africa, Coolies inspecting the Pictures of our War Number outside a Store
1049779 Excitement of Mahomedans at Capetown, South Africa, Coolies inspecting the Pictures of our War Number outside a Store (engraving) by English School

The Prohibition of Coolie Traffic by the Portuguese Government, American Clippers used to convey Coolies lying Idle in
1053074 The Prohibition of Coolie Traffic by the Portuguese Government, American Clippers used to convey Coolies lying Idle in Macao Roads (engraving) by English School

Sh?no: Driving Rain (colour woodblock print)
5043656 Sh?no: Driving Rain (colour woodblock print) by Hiroshige, Ando or Utagawa (1797-1858); Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, UK; (add.info.: Shono-Sudden Rain, coolies in downpour above village)

Spring Festival on the River (detail), handscroll (ink and colour on silk)
3931008 Spring Festival on the River (detail), handscroll (ink and colour on silk) by Chinese School, Qing dynasty (18th century); 29.8x1004.6 cm; Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

"Unsung Heroes: Tracing the Footsteps Across Time and Continents" From the vast rubber plantations in Malaysia to the bustling streets of Baghdad, coolies played an integral role in shaping history. In 1907, their tireless efforts transformed rubber trees into finished motor tires, revolutionizing transportation. As overseers directed these hardworking individuals, known as coolies, they labored under the scorching sun to ensure a steady supply of this vital resource. In Hong Kong's vibrant cityscape, a man wearing a traditional straw coolie hat sat on a stool - an emblematic image that symbolized their resilience and dedication. Captured in black and white photographs from 1908, we catch a glimpse at breakfast - fueling themselves for another day of arduous work. Traveling back to 1890 Calcutta, we witness the Meean Mir Coolie Corps eagerly awaiting shipment for The Chin-Lushai Expedition. These unsung heroes formed an essential part of military operations during times of conflict. Yet even amidst battles fought far away from home soil, disputes occasionally arose among them as depicted in engravings showcasing quarrels within Siamese quarries or foot races held by coolies serving in Canton's Military Train. Beyond laborious tasks and military endeavors lay stories that shed light on lesser-known aspects of their lives. A lithograph titled "The Seamy Side of Victory" reveals Japanese coolies in Osaka after war; it serves as a poignant reminder that victory often came at great personal cost. They were not limited to physical labor alone; they also served as carriers for supplies supporting Chinese troops during critical moments captured through powerful lithographs. Additionally, sedan chairs became synonymous with luxury travel during the late 19th century when wealthy individuals relied on strong-shouldered coolies to transport them through bustling cities. Through these glimpses into the lives of coolies, we uncover a rich tapestry of history.