A rare collection of menus from Chinese restaurants in India, circa 1930s.

A collection of six rare menus, early to mid twentieth century, from Chinese restaurants in Bombay, Madras, Chittagong, and Rawalpindi, servicing expatriate diners, during the 1930s and the wartime of the 1940s. Highly ephemeral and evocative of the melting post of British, Indian, Chinese and American cultures just prior to and during the Second World War.

1. Shanghai Cafe. 上海飯店. Peermohamed Manzil “B”, Colaba Road, Bombay. circa 1930s. Folded card, pink stock, 265 x 165 mm with humorous cover illustration of an expatriate couple attempting to(and failing) to use chopsticks, the a la carte menu featuring Shark’s Fins, soup, chicken, pigeon and quail, duck, fish and various other dishes, as well as sandwiches for the less adventurous.
2. Peiping Chinese Restaurant for Chinese, English & American dishes. 51 / 11 Lawrence Road, Rawalpindi. circa 1930s. Folded card, 260 x 190 mm, central crease, with an extensive menu of Chinese and European dishes. Please order by numbers. 
3. Eastern Chinese Restaurant. 東方飯店. Bhivandiwala Building, No. 18 – 19 Bhimriwali Chawl. Worli, Bombay. circa 1930s. Folded card, 250 x 165 mm, central crease, image of an aeroplane and flag of the Republic of China, with an extensive menu of Chinese and European dishes. The prices updated with pasted on strips of paper.
4. The Victory China Cafe. 勝利飯店. 1-192, Anjuman Building, Mount Road, Madras.  circa 1940s. Folded card, 278 x 120 mm, central crease, image of flags of the United Kingdom and Republic of China, with an extensive menu of Chinese and European dishes.
5. Allies Chinese Restaurant. 同盟飯店. Menu of Chinese, European and American Dishes at moderate rates. Wholesome – satisfying – delightful. 2/17, Mount Road, Madras. circa 1940s. Folded card, 260 x 120 mm, printed in red and black, with an extensive menu of Chinese and European dishes.
6. New China Restaurant. 3 Sadarghat Road, Chittagong. Cash memo receipt, dated 28-11-1943. Printed receipt, 155 x 105 mm, filled out in pencil, for an order of fish and chips, beans on toast, fowl curry and rice.

A rare collection.