Vintage photos – ‘frozen' moments of North Borneo

Daily Express

22-06-2025

Published on: Sunday, June 22, 2025
Published on: Sun, Jun 22, 2025 Text Size: This is the famous iconic panoramic picture of a very beautiful and neat-looking pre-war Sandakan taken in 1941 by Kwan Yau Mui, assisted by brother Kwan Dick Fook. Readers should note the photo is printed by surgically joining four negatives (below) together, giving an impression that it comes from one single wide angle shot. The Kwan brothers deserve a tribute for this heritage picture. MY fascination with North Borneo stamps initially sparked my interest in collecting postcards and real picture postcards (RPPC). As my collection grew, I realised I had amassed a substantial number of vintage images from the region. These photographs, often taken by professional local photographers, serve as windows into a society experiencing rapid societal and cultural change. Intrigued by their stories, I began researching the photographers, when and where the images were taken and who captured them.
Advertisement These local photographers, I believe, were the region's earliest 'ambassadors' of tourism, culture, and history. The earliest of these ambassadors was Philippe B. Funk. With Dr PK Lim, we authored a book in 2014 titled 'Prewar Images of North Borneo', which shed light on Funk's contributions. The work was featured in the Daily Express as a weekly article in 2015. The Kwan brothers – pioneer lens men But perhaps even more fascinating are the Kwan Brothers – Kwan Kai Fook, Kwan Yau Mui, and Kwan Dick Fook, whose extensive collection of photographs remains influential today. Their images, many of which are traded online, serve as a lasting testament to their significant role in documenting the history of North Borneo. The Kwan Brothers played a pivotal role in pioneering photography in North Borneo during the early 20th century. They produced a vast array of historical photographs, greeting cards, and postcards depicting the region's architecture, landscapes, and indigenous populations. Their work captured the essence of life in North Borneo - its people, its society, and its environment, serving as a visual archive of a society on the verge of monumental change. Journey began in 1928 The journey of these photographers began before 1928 with Lee Nam Keng Kee & Sons, which produced five postcards during that period. Kwan Yau Mui, an avid photographer, established Sunshinewood Photo Service in 1928, operating from the first floor of Lee Nam Keng Kee at 69 Jalan Tiga, Sandakan. Many of the iconic pre-war images from Sandakan originate from his camera. As business flourished, the brothers founded The Flower Studio in 1938, located above Funk & Sons – a Western sundry shop on Jalan Tiga near North Borneo Trading. These studios became renowned for their ability to capture and preserve the spirit of life during the pre-war years. Their photographic work, especially the postcards adorned with typewritten captions, stands out for their clarity and subtle insights into daily life. These images encapsulate a society on the brink of monumental change, a culture that was both proud of its traditions and eager for progress. Famous panorama of pre-war Sandakan One of the most remarkable contributions of the Kwan Brothers was their pioneering work in panoramic photography. In 1941, Kwan Yau Mui and Kwan Dick Fook captured a famous panoramic view of pre-war Sandakan (Top picture). This masterpiece involved four carefully taken frames from strategic vantage points, maintaining a consistent focal point. The negatives were developed and pieced together with precision, preserving proportions and detail. Readers, especially Sandakan folks, should appreciate what a special effort or feat this really is, because although the world's first wide angle lens – Harison & Schnitza Globe (USA), was invented in 1862, professional photographers of North Borneo like the Kwan brothers, definitely were not equipped with such means or luxuries. So they resorted to joining up what looks like four 126-size negatives, incised and knitted so carefully together that when the panoramic picture was printed, it looks as though it comes from one single wide angle shot! It's a super darkroom job which people won't do unless they really had a heart for it. They also captured a panoramic view of Jesselton from the Residency on Signal Hill. These panoramic photographs serve as poignant reminders of the destructive impact of war. The contrast between the peaceful pre-war scenes and the post-war devastation (bottom picture) highlights how conflict leaves scars on both communities and landscapes. The scenes created by war, though tragic, also testify to the resilience of the people who lived through it. Editor's note: The article and pictures are contributed by the book's author, Sandakan-born Nicholas KM Tan, a noted collector and researcher of vintage postcards and impermanent postal collectables, thus preserved fleeting moments of colony North history published in the book. Besides being a graduate in Computer Science from North London Polytechnic, Tan is founder of Hotel Sixty3 on Gaya St, KK, co-author of another book 'Pre-War images of North Borneo'. He and wife Gloria Kah have six daughters.