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HK313(G/M) - The Letter Writer Set (Gloss / Matt) | King & Country
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HK313(G/M) – The Letter Writer Set (Gloss / Matt) | King & Country
HK313(G/M) “The Letter Writer Set” is a charming addition to King & Country’s Streets of Old Hong Kong collection, depicting a service once commonly found along the busy streets of the colony.
The set portrays a mother and her young son seated beside a professional letter writer.
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, literacy was not universal among Hong Kong’s working families. At the same time, many households maintained close family connections with older relatives living in mainland China.
For people unable to read or write confidently themselves, professional letter writers provided an important service. They helped ordinary families put their thoughts and news onto paper so that contact could be maintained with relatives living far away.
These men became a familiar part of Hong Kong street life, combining practical assistance with an important social role within the local community.
As Hong Kong became more prosperous and access to free education expanded, levels of literacy improved dramatically and demand for professional letter writers gradually declined.
Even so, King & Country notes that some letter writers could still be found working on the Streets of Old Hong Kong into the late 1930s.
Available in both Gloss and Matt finishes, HK313 is a wonderfully atmospheric civilian set that brings another aspect of everyday Hong Kong life to a collection.
Will be available from The Military Workshop.
Brand: King & Country
