Three Chinese men photographed at their home in the 1860’s by John Thomson for the China Magazine. The picture is one of a set which are believed to be among the earliest photographic depictions of the far east in existence. See SWNS story SWCHINA; These fascinating pictures thought to be the earliest photographic depictions of life in the far east yesterday (Thurs) sold for a massive SIX TIMES their expected value. The photographs, which form part of a captivating magazine, show life in China and Japan during the 1860s and portray villagers going about their day-to-day tasks. It gives a fascinating glimpse into ancient culture of the far east and gives a fascinating insight into the normal every day life. Among the collection is a picture of two Chinese fruit sellers, while another shows men scrambling up a ladder and into a window. Members of a town or village council are captured in one striking image, in another a street barber carefully cuts a client’s hair and the picturesque harbour scene in Hong Kong is also represented. Auctioneers originally tipped the incredible bundle of pictures at a guide price of just £2,000, but after a fierce bidding war collectors raised the price to a huge £12,500.