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Canafornian

Canafornian club

Posted: 15 Aug 2015

Taken: 15 Aug 2015

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postcard •
winnipeg •
manitoba •
chinese wood stove •

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WP1918 WPG - (CHINESE GENT, LIKELY WINNIPEG)

WP1918 WPG - (CHINESE GENT, LIKELY WINNIPEG)
Date: Posted May 11, 1905

Publisher / Photographer: Not evident.

On classic early Velox postcard stock, this card was posted from Winnipeg to a Lewis H.Dwinell in Stoughton, Assiniboia (now SK)

While it is likely, there is nothing in the image to confirm that the photo was taken in Winnipeg,

The handwritten note reads: "Lee Ping Chop Suey. Thanks for your letter - thought you would like a reminder of our old mutual friends Chef. - J.W.S.

Winnipeg-based or not, I am quite taken with this image - both the personage of this Chinese gent and the cast iron detail on this old wood stove.

Of interest in the image:
* The wood is piled into a wooden crate reading "CONDENSED MILK".
Comments
 wintorbos
wintorbos club
That's a fantastic find -- the classic Velox back makes in 99% certain that it's Canada so it's a rare image of Chinese-Canadian life circa 1905. The Chinese in Canada are recorded in the census and directories like anyone else so it is theoretically possible to find out where Lee Ping lived (supposing his name was recorded correctly). All I see in Ancestry.ca is a Lee Ping, living in Swift Current in 1916 and a laundryman (as virtually all Chinese at that time were). He was then 45 and had come to Canada in 1902. It is definitely possible but no more than that...
9 years ago.
 Canafornian
Canafornian club
Earlier today, I also came up empty-handed on a "Lee Ping, Winnipeg" search on Ancestry. Oddly enough, a "Ping, Manitoba" search delivered a Lee Ping in Winnipeg on the 1911 Census. He was only 22 at the time and listed as the Head of a household at 326 Balmoral - with three Chinese men as Lodgers. All were older than him - 21, 31 and 32. All four were launderers. I'm thinking he was listed as Head of the household because he was the only one who spoke English (according to the Census-taker). As your Swift Current Lee Ping did, they all came to Canada in 1902. Lee would have been only 13. I wonder if there is any possibility the ages/birth dates were recorded incorrectly.

Another theory... I wonder if the opening line "Lee Ping Chop Suey" was alluding to their friend's chef (and perhaps a favoured dish), and J.W.S. was sending this photo of an anonymous Winnipeg man as the "reminder" of the actual Lee Ping.

Sadly, I am fairly certain there will be no closure on the identity of this fellow.
9 years ago. Edited 9 years ago.

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