Public Domain - Out of copyright.
Source: Princeton University, Class of 1906, “Fifth Year Record, Class of 1906, Princeton University, Published by the Quinquennial Record Committee, Third Publication of the Class, [n.p.], 1912.
Public Domain - Out of copyright.
Source: Princeton University, Class of 1906, “Fifth Year Record, Class of 1906, Princeton University, Published by the Quinquennial Record Committee, Third Publication of the Class, [n.p.], 1912.
[HISTORICAL NOTE — Ironically, the reunion’s highly original Chinese Empire theme became a casualty of history a scant four months later, when the Xinhai Revolution overthrew the Qing Dynasty government in October 1911. The real Imperial Highness impersonated above by the ‘06 Class Boy was none other than five-year-old Puyi, known to history (and the movies) as “The Last Emperor”. His abdication in February 1912 formally ended the empire.
As for the Class of 1906, they stuck closer to home with their next major reunion theme, donning Uncle Sam suits for their 10th in 1916.
The authentic attire imported for ‘06’s Chinese Quinquennial is almost certainly the most elaborate P-rade ensemble ever assembled. The 15 distinct types of “characters” portrayed then by ’06 classmates far outstripped in variety even the 4 different styles of priestly robes that 1899 had created two years earlier for their 10th. — Tim Tulenko ’67]