Loke Wan Tho – A Company of Birds – Early Asian Ornithological Photography – 1959 Second Impression – Original Dustwrapper – Malcolm MacDonald Foreword

LOKE WAN THO. A COMPANY OF BIRDS. AN IMPORTANT WORK OF ASIAN ORNITHOLOGY AND WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY BY THE DISTINGUISHED MALAYAN-SINGAPOREAN PHOTOGRAPHER, NATURALIST AND FOUNDER OF THE CATHAY CINEMA EMPIRE. SECOND IMPRESSION, JANUARY 1959. ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPHIC DUSTWRAPPER.

Author and Photographer: Loke Wan Tho (1915–1964).

Foreword: Malcolm MacDonald (1901–1981).

Publisher: Michael Joseph Ltd., London, England.

Date: January 1959.

Edition: Early British edition, second impression. The copyright page records first publication in 1958 and the second impression in January 1959.

Format: Quarto. Original publisher’s cloth binding with the original colour photographic dustwrapper.

Pagination: 174 pages, with two additional leaves of plates.

Illustrations: Extensively illustrated throughout with original bird photographs by Loke Wan Tho, principally in black and white.

Condition: Near fine in a very good original dustwrapper, slightly creased, nicked, faded, marked and rubbed, with a short closed tear to the rear panel.

Stock Code: 004235.

Location: Bookroom.

Description

An attractive and commercially uncommon early impression of A Company of Birds, the important photographic and ornithological work by Loke Wan Tho, one of the most remarkable figures in the cultural, commercial and natural history of twentieth-century Southeast Asia.

Published by Michael Joseph in London, the book brings together Loke’s original photographs of birds observed during his expeditions through Malaya, India and New Guinea, accompanied by his personal observations and discussions of bird behaviour. The volume also includes a foreword by Malcolm MacDonald, the distinguished British diplomat and Commissioner-General for Southeast Asia, who was both a friend of Loke Wan Tho and an enthusiastic admirer of his photography. The book is particularly interesting because its author was not simply an accomplished amateur ornithologist. Loke Wan Tho was a major figure in the development of the Southeast Asian film industry, a prominent businessman, art collector and internationally respected photographer.

His achievements in ornithology were substantial. He undertook ambitious photographic expeditions, maintained detailed field records and established close friendships with leading naturalists, particularly the celebrated Indian ornithologist Sálim Ali.

A Company of Birds reflects the remarkable combination of scientific curiosity, technical photographic skill and artistic sensitivity that characterised his work. Its photographs capture birds in their natural habitats, documenting nesting behaviour, feeding, breeding and other aspects of their lives. The book occupies an interesting position in the history of Asian wildlife photography, having been produced during a period when photographing wild birds at close quarters often required considerable patience, specialised equipment and difficult fieldwork.

Loke Wan Tho (1915–1964): Ornithologist, Photographer and Cinema Pioneer

Loke Wan Tho was born in Kuala Lumpur in 1915 into one of the most prominent business families in British Malaya. His father, Loke Yew, had accumulated considerable wealth through mining, property and commercial enterprises. Educated in Malaya, Switzerland and Britain, Loke subsequently studied at King’s College, Cambridge, developing interests in literature, history, photography and the natural sciences. He eventually became one of the most influential businessmen in the entertainment industry of Southeast Asia.

Associated with the Cathay Organisation, he was instrumental in the development of a major network of cinemas and film production enterprises operating across Singapore, Malaya, Hong Kong and other Asian territories. Under his leadership, Cathay became one of the most important companies in the region’s developing film industry. Yet despite the demands of his commercial responsibilities, Loke maintained an exceptionally serious interest in ornithology and photography. His enthusiasm for photography began during childhood, and he developed his technical skills while studying in Europe.

His particular interest in bird photography grew through personal observation and association with experienced naturalists. Over the following decades, he undertook photographic expeditions to India, Kashmir, Malaya, Sarawak, New Guinea and other regions. Loke became particularly admired for his patience, fieldcraft and ability to obtain unusually detailed photographs of birds in their natural environments. His photographic achievements brought him recognition among leading ornithologists, and his work was reproduced in specialist publications. A Company of Birds remains one of the principal published records of this important aspect of his life. Tragically, Loke Wan Tho and his wife, Mavis, were killed in an aircraft accident in Taiwan on 20 June 1964. He was forty-nine years old.

His legacy encompasses major contributions to Asian cinema, photography, collecting and the study of birds.

Sálim Ali and the Development of Asian Ornithology

One of the most important influences upon Loke Wan Tho’s ornithological career was his friendship with Sálim Ali (1896–1987), widely celebrated as the Birdman of India. Ali was among the most influential ornithologists of the twentieth century and played a central role in establishing the modern scientific study and conservation of birds in India. Loke first became acquainted with Ali during the Second World War, when he was living in India following his escape from Japanese-occupied Southeast Asia. Their friendship developed into a productive association based upon shared enthusiasm for birds, photography and natural history.

Loke accompanied Ali on expeditions and benefited from his extensive knowledge of Indian birdlife. Their journeys took them through environments ranging from wetlands and forests to mountains and remote rural regions. Such expeditions required considerable perseverance, particularly given the difficulties of transporting photographic equipment and obtaining satisfactory images of wild birds. Loke’s photography complemented Ali’s ornithological expertise by recording birds and aspects of their behaviour visually. Their association also demonstrates the important role played by personal networks of naturalists and photographers in the development of Asian ornithological knowledge.

Condition

Near fine in a very good original dustwrapper. The original publisher’s cloth binding is exceptionally clean and well preserved, with clean, tidy contents. The original colour photographic dustwrapper has slight creasing, minor nicking, fading, marking and rubbing, particularly around the edges and spine. A short closed tear is present to the rear panel. Despite these signs of age and handling, the dustwrapper remains attractive and the book presents very well.

Stock Code: 004235.

Location: Bookroom.

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