"Connecting Western dealers and Asian collectors": Speaking to Christopher Bailey ahead of FIRSTS HONG KONG

After the success of the "China in Print" fair, which ran until 2018, the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association (ABA) is now relaunching the Hong Kong event under its "FIRSTS" brand.

We spoke to Christopher Bailey of PictureThis Gallery, who has been based in Sunningdale in the UK since 2016, after trading from Hong Kong for many years.
Christopher and his wife Pamela run an online art gallery that combines contemporary art with old and rare objects. The gallery showcases a wide range of photography by renowned international and local photographers, as well as vintage and contemporary posters, antiquarian books and maps.

Chris, you ran an art gallery in Hong Kong for many years. Could you tell us a little bit about what first drew you to Hong Kong and how your journey in the city began?

I arrived in Hong Kong all the way back in 1992 and worked in finance for 10 years. Needing a different challenge and change of lifestyle, my wife Pamela and I founded Picture This Gallery in 2002. We ran a gallery and a retail shop in Central district, offering rare books, antique maps, vintage posters and contemporary photography. It was an exciting time in the years after the Handover, we were always busy, had a lot of fun and curated some fabulous exhibitions. But after 24 years living in Hong Kong, it was time for a change of air, so we packed up in Hong Kong in 2016 and moved the business and our three teenagers back to the UK. Since then, we have refocused the business though most of our trade and major clients continue to be in the Far East.

How have you seen the book trade in Hong Kong and Asia develop over the years? Have there been any trends or changes in collecting habits that you have noticed?

The market for international books has grown steadily over the years and the Hong Kong book fair, in its various guises since 2007 has been an important part of connecting Western dealers and Asian collectors. But it is worth remembering that this stands alongside a much larger market in Asian language material which most western dealers are only tangentially involved in. Interest in Western literature, illustrated books and fine bindings have also grown and with continued exposure in these areas, I definitely expect we will see a deeper collector base develop around the region.

As someone with such in-depth experience of the Asian market, do you feel there are any unique characteristics that distinguish collectors in Hong Kong and Asia?

There is a long tradition of collecting in Hong Kong – stamps, watches, Chinese furniture and antiques, and more recently contemporary art, wine and whisky. Expatriate collectors used to be a driving force but their numbers have waned in recent years and the market for collectibles is now dominated by local Hong Kong and Chinese collectors. The China market is younger and more fragmented, not surprising since the country was closed to the outside world until the early 1990’s, but massive wealth creation in the past two decades has turbocharged many markets for collectibles which are now dominated by Asian buyers. The collectors are typically knowledgeable, research driven and willing to pay good prices for the best quality and rarest items. We see the same with book and map collecting in China and Hong Kong, though the growth in these areas has to date been steady rather than explosive.

For visitors to FIRSTS Hong Kong, what would you advise them to keep in mind about the city and its culture in order to have the best experience?

Hong Kong is an easy city to visit, most things are close to reach and the transport system is fast, efficient and cheap. But it is also very safe, so get out there and walk the streets, be curious, ask questions, smile lots and you’ll have a great time.

You've experienced Hong Kong as a place to work and as a city. What is it about Hong Kong that continues to fascinate or inspire you?

Hong Kong is an incredibly efficient “can-do” place where anything is possible and I find this and the people inspiring. The locals have huge pride in their city and for good reason. It is also a true foodie capital.

If there is a little time left while not being at the book fair, what cultural place would you recommend to see?

If you only have time for one cultural excursion in Hong Kong, then take the Star Ferry across the harbour from the book fair to visit the new M+ contemporary art museum.

Apart from book-related places, what are some of your favourite places in Hong Kong that capture the essence of the city? Are there any special neighbourhoods, cultural sites or restaurants that we should not miss?

The best way to see Hong Kong is from a front row seat on the top deck of the tram, locally known as the “ding-ding”, which slowly travels all the way along north shore of Hong Kong island and back. It’ll bring you from the high-rise towers of Central to many local districts where you can jump off and go looking for a local market and some street food. Spicy noodle or dumplings in a dai pai dong is a must!

Last but not least, we know you have been busy cataloguing in the last few weeks, could you share with us some of the highlights you will be bringing to the fair?

We are bringing lots of rare items of paper ephemera with us. Easy to pack and transport, they will make the stand look very attractive and there are lots of collectors for this type of material. Hong Kong has been a popular tourist destination since the 1920’s and this makes for a fertile market for guidebooks, hotel brochures, menus, luggage labels, folding maps, postcards, travel diaries and shipping posters. Please stop by our booth at Firsts Hong Kong to take a look at our collection….and of course we will happily give suggestions on the best hiking trails, beaches, seafood restaurants, bars and cafes around town.

Chris, we thank you for these interesting insights and wish all exhbitors and visitors a wonderful time.

For all information about the fair, please visit the website HERE

Exhibitors of FIRSTS HONG KONG

Allsworth Rare Books, UK
Asia Bookroom, AU
Books for Cooks, AU
Pablo Butcher, UK
Stephen Butler Rare Books & Manuscripts, UK
Cavendish Rare Books, UK
Librairie Rodolphe Chamonal, FR
Stéphane Clavreuil Rare Books, UK
Daniel Crouch Rare Books Ltd, UK
Antiquariaat Forum BV, NL
Peter Harrington, UK
Thomas Heneage Art Books, UK, D28
Indosiam, HK
Antiquariat Inlibris Gilhofer Nfg. GmbH, AT
Kagerou Bunko, JP, H64
KOTTE Autographs GmbH, DE
Lok Man Rare Books, HK
Lucius Books Ltd, UK
Herman HJ Lynge & Søn A/S, DK
Maggs Bros Ltd, UK
Picture This Gallery, UK
Bernard Quaritch Ltd, UK
Rulon-Miller Books, US
Sophie Schneideman Rare Books, UK
Shapero Rare Books Ltd, UK
Benjamin Spademan, UK
Michael Steinbach Rare Books, AT
Douglas Stewart Fine Books, AU

All images are courtesy of Christopher Bailey.
Interview: Angelika Elstner, ILAB