Shanghai People's Art Publishing House
Shanghai People's Art Publishing House (1952 - Present) is a state-run Shanghai-based Chinese publishing company closely associated with the Chinese Communist Party. The firm was formed in 1952, when privates Shanghai publishers were reorganized into separate organizations, the East China People's Art Press and New Art Press. The name Shanghai People's Art Publishing House in 1954. A year later, in 1955 the New Art Press as absorbed into the Shanghai People's Art Publishing House. The firm remains active today and publishes regime-supported art and literature. In more recent years, it became known as the birthplace of Chinese comics.
Art-Deco Shanghai!
A charming c. 1955 art deco map of Shanghai, China, issued for tourists by the Shanghai People's Art Publishing House and the China International Tourist Service. The map centers on the historical business district of Shanghai, including the old concession area, but extends north as far as Chiang Wan, south to encompass Long Hua Airport, and west as far as what is described as 'West Suburban Park', which most likely corresponds to the modern day location of Shanghai Zoo. The map tackles the urban complexity of Shanghai with a minimalist aesthetic that removes unnecessary details (such as minor roads) but highlights important locations with indexed pictorial vignettes. There are some 95 indexed sites, but we are not sure how easy it would be to actually get to one of the locations cited using this map, especially those in Pudong, which are apparently inaccessible by any roadway. The map folds into its original binder which is illustrated with a sapan (Chinese sailboat) in front of the Bund. (more details)