Reporter:Wang Huijuan

Ian Grenville Cross is the Vice President of the Hong Kong Collectors Society (HKCS), which was established in 1994, and held its 30th anniversary exhibition at the Hong Kong Central Library last August. The HKCS promotes an awareness of the past, and encourages people to appreciate how things developed historically. It is particularly important for the younger generation to know the history of their country, and this provides them with insights into why things are as they are. The HKCS brings together collectors who have numerous areas of interest, and they are always willing to share their collections with others, through talks, interviews, and exhibitions.

Reporter:

You’re widely known for your legal career, but less so for your collecting. What sparked your interest in collecting? Was there a pivotal moment or an object that started it all?How do you balance the meticulous mindset of a prosecutor with the curiosity of a collector? Do they overlap in unexpected ways?

Mr.Grenville Cross:

I have always been fascinated by the past, and history was my favorite subject at school. Before deciding to study law, I gave serious thought to becoming a historian. History teaches us how our civilization developed, and important lessons can be learned from it, including an avoidance of the mistakes of yesteryear. To possess items from earlier times provides a direct link to our ancestors, and brings history to life. Knowing that particular items were once handled by our forebears creates a bond with those who have gone before, and a bond that can be almost mystical at times.

When I started collecting at school, I focused on stamps, like many schoolboys. Once I went to university I switched to collecting books and the autographs of famous people. When I started working as a lawyer, I began collecting English silver, although, like many collectors, I was not too disciplined, and would acquire anything that looked interesting. Once I moved to Hong Kong, I started collecting Tongzhi era (1862-1875) porcelain, historical postcards, old medals, and items associated with the late Qing Dynasty and the Emperor Puyi period in Manchukuo (1932-1945, a Japanese client state). These days my main focus is on historical photographs of China (including Hong Kong and Macao), although I sometimes branch out into other areas if I see things of particular interest.

Although I have had many "eureka moments", my discovery of a mandarin's coral hat button (worn at the hat's apex by a Grade 2 Qing official) in a market stall in Tianjin in 1991 was amazing, and triggered an interest in Qing Dynasty paraphernalia (including hats, robes and official accessories).

A good prosecutor always needs to get to the heart of a case and understand its various permutations, while a wise collector tries to appreciate the significance of particular items. They both have to identify what is true and what is false, and there is always a danger they will be deceived by fakes. As they become more experienced, prosecutors and collectors find it easier to decide where the truth lies, and not to be taken in by tricksters.

Reporter:

Could you describe the focus of your collection? What eras or themes fascinate you most? Among your items, which holds the deepest personal or historical significance, and why?

Mr.Grenville Cross:

As I have just explained, my interests are wide. My main areas of interest these days, apart from historical photographs, are Emperor Puyi memorabilia (pictures, postcards, magazines), books (British and Chinese history) and late Qing Dynasty mandarin items (attire, hat buttons, accessories).

Much of my collection is significant in one way or another. The boy's (9-dragon) imperial robe that once belonged to the Emperor Tongzhi is amazing, and still in very good condition. In 2023, I acquired the 6-volume family photograph albums of the former Hong Kong governor, Sir Francis Henry May (r. 1912-1918), and they contain some fascinating pictures of his time in Hong Kong. My latest acquisition, which came from a Shanghai dealer, is a document case once used by a senior Qing official to carry papers around, and the experts told me it is the only one they have ever seen.

Reporter:

Every collector has a white whale-an elusive item they long to find. Have you ever pursued one? Did you succeed? Share a memorable story about acquiring a piece. Was it serendipitous, or the result of years of hunting?

Mr.Grenville Cross:

Yes, I have found many items by chance, such as the mandarin’s ruby hat button,“lingguan” and feather I discovered in Ulan Bator, Mongolia. However, I have also hit gold by dint of patient searching, such as the mandarin’s jade necklace which I located in a Vienna auction, and the mandarin’s breast square which I found in a Paris market. The mandarins all wore feathers in their hats (grades 1-5 had peacock feathers, while grades 6-9 had pheasant feathers), and I am still searching for a mandarin’s feather box, although they are very difficult to find.

Reporter:

Does your collection include Hong Kong-related items? How does the city’s unique history reflect in what you preserve?

Mr.Grenville Cross:

Yes, some Hong Kong items, including early postcards, travel booklets and pictures. As I mentioned, they include the photograph albums of the former governor, Sir Henry May, who retired to Suffolk in England, which is where I come from. Last year, in a Yau Ma Tei second-hand shop, I found the ceremonial wig of Arthur Ridehalgh QC, who was the Attorney General of Hong Kong from 1952-1962, which was an astonishing discovery (it was in its original tin case, and in perfect condition). My colleagues in the Hong Kong Collectors Society also have some incredible Hong Kong items, including old bottles, historical documents, tram and theatre tickets, long-playing records and silverware.

Reporter:

Is collecting, for you, about preservation, nostalgia, or something else entirely?Do you see parallels between safeguarding justice and safeguarding history?

Mr.Grenville Cross:

The German philosopher, Johann von Goethe once said “Collectors are happy people”, and this is generally true. They experience real joy as their collections expand, or when they make unexpected finds, whether in Hollywood Road or in Ho Mong kok. They also enjoy sharing their collections with their fellow collectors, as well as with the public. As well as doing their best to preserve the past, they also enjoy bringing the past back to life for future generations. As is often said, you cannot understand the present unless you also understand the past.

It can certainly be said there are parallels between safeguarding our legal system and safeguarding our history, and they are both important pillars of a successful society and need to be cherished.

Reporter:

What advice would you give to young collectors, especially in Hong Kong’s fast-paced environment? How do you envision your collection being shared or remembered in the future?

Mr.Grenville Cross:

Young collectors should start in a small way, collecting items that interest them and not paying too much. In the early days, it is easy to make mistakes, and they need to identify dealers they can trust. They will learn by trial and error, and gradually develop their own expertise. Some collectors lack discipline and cannot resist buying anything that catches their eyes, but as they develop their interests new collectors should try to become more focused, concentrating on particular areas. As their collections grow, they will take great pride in them, and they will find the search for new items exhilarating. The love of collecting unites all types of people, and collecting opens doors, provides new horizons and leads to lasting friendships.

Yes, all collectors worry about the future of their collections. Unless family members share their passions, the collections may simply be broken up and sold off. I hope my collection will find its way one day into one of Hong Kong’s museums or universities, perhaps both. Although it is very diverse, I hope it can be kept intact for future generations to enjoy.