This vintage real photo postcard reflects a historic time in French Indo-China. The caption of the photograph states “his excellence the Kham-Sai marching against the De-Tham (Summer 1909). De Tham (1858-1913) , also known as Colonel Tham, was the Vietnamese leader of the “Yen The Insurrection”. A photograph of Tham can be seen below. This rebellion opposed French control in Northern Vietnam for a quarter of a century. This postcard is addressed and messaged in French. This photo documents the unsuccessful campaign of His Excellency Kham-Sai (Governor of Tonkin, the man in the center of the image). De-Tham had a price on his head which was ordered by the French Governor-General Klobukowsky. The reward was offered after De-Tham’s unsuccessful attempt to take Hanoi. De_Tham managed to survive until 1913 when he was beheaded in his sleep by one of his own men working for the French. His death ended a conflict which had lasted 25 years. Note the medaled man on the right. It is likely that some of the Governors best and fearless men were sent on the mission. The horse in the photograph is a Vietnamese Hmong, which is known for it’s sure-footedness in mountain terrains such as the location of De-Thams hiding place. In today’s times, Tonkin lies completely in North Vietnam. The message written on this postcard indicates that it was written by Frenchman Louis Toullaine and addressed to his niece in Paris, France. SOLD
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 