Stanley and Ivy Key: Borneo Photograph Albums

Scope and Content

Two photograph albums containing black and white and sepia photographs (both mounted and loose), documenting the activities of the British Borneo Timber Company Ltd., including logging, shipping and the laying of railway lines. Other subjects covered include buildings, animals (especially orangutans), farmland and the leisure activities of the European employees, including a wedding party and a football team. The photographs are undated and uncaptioned, with the exception of one marked 'St. Andrews Night, Samdakan. 30 November 1922' and some later captions added to the albums (presumably by the depositor), which refer to 'Auntie Ivy' and 'Uncle Stan'.

Administrative / Biographical History

Stanley Key was an employee of the British Borneo Timber Company Ltd. He was in Borneo during the First World War and returned there with his wife in approximately 1920, staying until the mid 1930s.

The couple retired to the Isle of Man and Ivy Key died in the 1950s or 1960s.

Arrangement

The loose photographs (MS 381093/2/1-6) were found inside the cover of the second album (MS 381093/2).

Access Information

Open

Acquisition Information

Donated to the Library in 1992.

Custodial History

The collection was in the custody of the Art Librarian, SOAS until its transfer to SOAS Special Collections in August 2011. The albums were previously in the possession of the depositor, Ivy Key's great-niece.