Look and Learn

Items in HSBC’S archives that reflect the history of the bank—and of Hong Kong

VIEW OF HONG KONG, CIRCA 1860

An image of this small oil painting has been reproduced and enlarged on the walls of the HSBC Archives Gallery. The work depicts Victoria Harbour in the early 1860s, shortly before HSBC was founded. Hong Kong was a major trade hub at the time and the work features a variety of merchant ships.

THE HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION ANNUAL REPORT 1969

The image of rice occurs throughout HSBC’S history. It was first used as a nod to the bank’s roots in Asia but, as time has gone on, has taken on greater meaning. Rice is an internationally traded commodity, most valuable when sold in bulk, although every grain adds to its value. HSBC has therefore adopted the grain of rice as a symbol of how every individual employee, customer and shareholder has played a role in shaping HSBC’S success. Matching 12-metre-tall bronze sculptures of a grain of rice now stand outside the HSBC Main Building in Hong Kong and the bank’s headquarters in London.

BANKNOTES THROUGH THE YEARS

Unsurprisingly, HSBC’S collection includes hundreds of banknotes. Notable examples include: a HK$25 note (pictured middle), which dates from the bank’s early days—this one was issued in the 1870s; a HK$50 from 1975 (top), released in a striking blue; and a HK$100 note from 1972 (bottom), which was created by legendary graphic designer Henry Steiner. The latter note was also the first time the lion statues that sit outside HSBC’S headquarters appeared on a banknote.