SOUTH MANCHURIA RAILWAY
New York: The South Manchuria Railway Company, circa 1933. A promotional piece extolling “The Progress of Manchuria” following the establishment of Manchukuo, a puppet state of the Empire of Japan in northeast China and Inner Mongolia, produced in conjunction with the 1933 Century of Progress International Exposition at Chicago. Established in 1906, the Japanese-owned and operated South Manchuria Railway Company (or Mantetsu, for short) was charged with a government-like role in managing the rail transportation and urban planning after the Japanese invasion in 1931.
“It is conceded by all that the rapid industrial, agricultural and educational development of Manchuria during the past 28 years is chiefly due to Japanese investments and the enterprise of her industrialists and skilled technicians. In all this important work the South Manchuria Railway Company has taken the lead and it is largely through the foresight, confidence and intelligence of the administration of this great artery of commerce that has made Manchuria a prosperous and peaceful land for the past twenty years. This explains why the great migration of nearly 8,000,000 to Manchuria took place in the last few years. Here they found a land of peace and plenty until the war lords taxed and exploited them to the limit, so they declared their independence, as did the Americans in 1776.”
This folding brochure opens to a railway map of the region, which shows four sections under construction. There are also 12 photographic images highlighting Manchuria’s historic sights, modern infrastructure, and abundant resources. Printed in color on a 12” x 18” sheet of white paper that folds to 4” x 9” (12 panels). A fine, fresh example with just a hint of edgewear. Scarce, OCLC locates only three holdings (Michigan, National Library of Australia, Canadian Centre for Architecture). Item #73809
Price: $250.00