Ivon Donnelly my maternal grandfather lived in China in the early 1900s until the mid 40s. He was a shipping agent on the Yangtze and became an expert on Chinese Junks writing and illustrating a book on them.He was an accomplished artist and also built models of junks. I intend to post copies of the few examples of his work that I have and those that I have come across via the internet.I also will post photographs taken from my grandmothers album of scenes in China in the 1900s.
posted by Tony B at 11:35 AM
Born in India when my father was a British officer in the Indian Army ,initially raised in the Far East, Boarding School in England , Degree at Southampton University , worked in aerospace industry for nearly 10 years.Then investment banking (energy sector) .Came to Houston for a month , been here for 30 years.
8 Comments:
Hi Tony.
My name is Graham Earnshaw, and we re-published your grandfather's junk book some time ago, and I just saw a comment you posted on Paul French's blog. Pleased to meet you Ivan sounds like he was an interesting and hyperactive guy. I would have liked to meet him.
You refer to some obscure guidebooks he wrote. what were they?
Id you ever come to China, do make contact with me.
all best
Graham
+86 139 016 69748
graham@earnshaw.com
Hello Tony, My father was a merchant navy captain. He had a small water colour of one of his ships, which he said a passenger had done and given him at the end of the voyage. After Dad died I took it out and hung it on my wall. It is dated 1930. It was only when an artist friend of mine asked if the artist was well known that it occurred to me to look him up on the web. Yes it was Ivon Donnelly!
I now live in Australia and the painting is one of my treasures. I hope you find this interesting.
Diana Burleigh
Diana , thanks thats fascinating.If there is anyway you caould send me a digital picture that would be great . You can e mail me direct at abanham@simmonsco-intl.com
Regards
Tony Banham
Dear Tony
I am researching early photographers of the Yangtze - was Ivon A Donelly also an amateur photographer? He illustrated Cornell Plant's book Glimpses of the Yangtze which also has photographic plates but their author is not nominated.
kind regards Gael Newton
Dear Gael ,
Nice to hear from you . Donnelly's photos were just personal records and were probably in fact taken by my grandmother.So far as I am aware he wasnt responsible for those in Plant's book. Dont know what your research objective is but would certainly be interested in the end result.
Regards
Tony
I have two Ivon A Donnelly Watercolours - 'Tsingtao' and 'Sunset Ktiohuk'?, both dated 1927. One has two Junks plus a Naval ship in the distance on what appears to be a lake, and the other has two Naval ships to the front left, with small fishing? vessels round an island with the city in the background. If you would like me to, I will try and arrange for them to be scanned through to you some time.
Hi Jennifer , nice to hear from you.Would be great if you could have those pics scanned - you could e mail to me at abanham@simmonsco-intl.com and I will post them.Would be interested to know your China connection ie how did you come across the paintings ?
Tony
I have five Chinese Junk Post Cards with Ivon A Donnelly's signature printed and Published by Kelly & Walsh, LTD. You probably know of these already. My Grandmother lived in China in the 30's.
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