Rooftop Watchers 1937, Sam Tata

I wrote a piece last year for the Asia Literary Review (issue 29) on the old rooftops of Shanghai (you can get it here on kindle or hard copy). In that article, which comes with some good pictures and old advertising ephemera. Of course you always find the photo you wanted but couldn’t locate too late!! Came across this favourite old picture from 1937 of two very stylish Shanghailanders watching the skies for the fighting over to the north. No idea who these two Settlement Bohemians are – a plaid coat and a white trilby worn just so are amazing! The picture is by the inimitable Sam Tata and  he titled Rooftop Watchers.