Over the four decades he chronicled Vancouver’s Chinatown, Yucho Chow used a variety of painted backgrounds, pieces of furniture and other décor which help identify his work. He also changed his seal (logo) several times during that period.
Today, most Yucho Chow photos are missing their official seal. So here are some of the details to look for to help determine if you have a “hidden” Yucho Chow in your collection. Please look carefully at the small details on the photos — especially details of furnishings and props.
If you are still unsure, feel free to send us a snapshot of your photograph (a clear cell phone picture is fine), and we will help you verify if it is a Yucho Chow. Email it to us at: yuchochow@gmail.com
French Baroque countryside (used 1907-to 1920)
Leaded-Glass Background (used 1915s into the mid 1930s)
Wooden Window Shutters and Clouds (used 1920s until 1930)
This backdrop was used primarily at Yucho Chow Studio when it was located at 5 West Pender. Yucho Chow stopped using it once he moved to 518 Main Street. In this new location, he primarily displayed the Leaded Glass Window backdrop.
Black Curtain Background (1935 & 1936)
In early 1935, Yucho Chow’s studio was damaged by a fire that started in the rooming house next door. During the period when his studio was being restored, the photographer used a black curtain. His furnishings and props were not damaged and continue to appear in these photos taken between 1935 and 1936.
Arches & Rectangles (1936-early 1940s)
The “arches and squares” backdrop was introduced after the studio was restored from 1935 fire. Note the checkered flooring.
Art Deco Circles (used: 1942-1951)
The background composed of art deco circles is the most frequently seen backdrop in photos that have survived. It was the last hand-painted backdrop Yucho Chow used before he died in November 1949. His two sons would continue to use this backdrop until they moved the studio to 512 Main Street around 1951.
(Top-left): For almost three decades, Yucho Chow used two sizes of ornate, carved-wooden stands. (Top-right): This faux-marble pedestal appears early photos up until 1935. (Bottom-left): A tall circular column used after the fire. (Bottom-right): early photos may show a table draped with a piece of tapestry.
Notice the details of the chairs used over different time periods. (Top, left to right): A stenographers chair with twisted metal feet; a wicker chair with a dark-chevron pattern on the arms; a wooden chair with curved feet. (Bottom left): A high-back wood and wicker chair. (Bottom-right): A modern chrome tubular chair with leather seat which appears in the early 1940s.
Children were sometimes posed with smaller-sized furnishings or props like those shown above. In some images, the ceramic vase is turned on its side and a child is seated on it. Other photos show a small child standing on the bamboo box. (Note: some images have children photographed with adult-sized furnishings.)
Portraits are the most challenging photographs to identify given there are few clues shown in the image. Besides spotting portions of elements from the backgrounds shown earlier, here are a couple of other things to notice.
