The three characters you are about to follow were intimately involved with Lord Henry Johann Kent around the year 1897. Their stories are closely intertwined as is the time they spent in this building, which functioned as the headquarters of Lord Kent’s shipping company, Imperial Line & Co.
|
 |
Oil portrait of Doctor Sir Benjamin
Menugel, 1900 |
 |
Oil portrait of Doctor Albert
Montgomery Bartholomew, 1892 |
 |
Original Copy of Traditional Chinese pathwork given by Anna to the Lord at 1897 |
|
London’s Ocean Primary School, 1874
Second Row, Second from Right: Benjamin Menugel |
 |
Benjamin Menugel, 1875 |
 |
Allison Kent, 1865 |
 |
Allison Kent, 1895 |
 |
Captain Robert Long, Anna’s fiancé, 1887 |
 |
a card added to a tobbaco packet, 1935
Presenting Captain Robert Long. |
Card Text:
A series of 25.
SEAMEN
PAST & PRESENT
9
Captain Robert Long,
The illustrious Captain was the first to trade in Chinese red gun powder thus significantly contributing to Britain’s defence capabilities in World War I.
A master negotiator in trade, and a close student of culture, the captain lived an enchanted life. He was engaged to the ravishing Chinese lady Liang whom he brought with him upon his return from one of his early voyages to china. Her unexplained disappearance a year later almost caused an international crisis between Great Britain and China.
He was for many years the executive manager of Imperial Line & Co. Shipping Company, taking over after the mysterious death of the ompany’s owner. The captain also oversaw the company’s successful expansion into the Americas and India.
|
  |
Imperial Line & Co. area, Blackfriars, London, 1900 |
|
