Unraveling the Mystery: The Photographer Behind the East Asiatic Company’s Journey in Siam and Laos
A fascinating journey into the historical past of Scandinavia in Asia has been uncovered through a research project by Anne C. Tan. Tan’s recent research focused on the Danish East Asiatic Company and a photograph album documenting their activities with teak in Siam. The album, which provides a photographic record of the company’s operations in Thailand in the early twentieth century, has sparked a quest to uncover the identity of the photographer and shed light on the expedition’s details.
The album, titled Siam and Laos, consists of 54 numbered plates containing 350 photographs/albumen prints. The journey documented in the album starts in Bangkok, travels north to Phrae, the teak forests of northern Thailand, and then continues to Laos. The travelers descend the Mekong river using small wooden boats bearing the flag of the East Asiatic Company.
Through her research, Tan has identified Felix Agassiz as the likely photographer of the album. Agassiz, who was an assistant to G.R. Lambert, a prominent Singapore photographer, is believed to have captured the stunning images that make up the album. Tan’s investigation has also revealed connections between the East Asiatic Company personnel and individuals like Peter Hauff, who had valuable knowledge of the Mekong river and its challenges.
The album serves as a visual narrative of colonial exploration, showcasing the Westerners’ adventures in the East. It provides a glimpse into the activities of the East Asiatic Company in Thailand and Laos during the early 1900s, offering a unique perspective on the era.
Tan’s research has uncovered intriguing details about the album, including the presence of East Asiatic Company personnel in a Buddhist temple and their overnight stay during the expedition. The album also documents the floating of teak logs down the Mekong river, a practice that was part of the company’s operations in the region.
As Tan continues her research, she hopes to unravel more mysteries surrounding the album and its historical significance. The journey into the past of Scandinavia in Asia is a testament to the rich history and cultural connections between the two regions, and Tan’s work sheds light on a lesser-known aspect of this shared heritage.