ZHENG XU (19TH-20TH CENTURY) / ZHENG ZHIPENG (19TH-20TH CENTURY)CorrespondencesCorrespondences from Zheng XuAlbum of eighteen double leaves, ink on paperVarious sizeTwenty correspondences from Zheng Xu, with a total of four sealsColophons by Du Qizhang (1891-1942), with two sealsTitleslip entitled, inscribed and signed by Xu Beihong (1895-1953)‌‌NOTE:‌Zheng Xu, styled as Jilin, was born in the Zhongshan County of Guangdong and was a relative of Cheng Kinlo and Marcus C Cheng. During Emperor Guangxu’s reign, he served as the Minister of Finance for Xiamen and later worked as part of the Coastal Defense, concentrating on civil affairs. After the 1911 Revolution of China, Zheng Xu moved to Gulang Island and developed an interest in painting and calligraphy. Proficient in fine brush figures, flowers, and insects, Zheng Xu is now known as a famous painter in Fujian and Taiwan.‌‌Du Qizhang, who styled himself Huanwen, also known as the owner of Xiao Huan Caotang, was from Quanzhou, Fujian. He participated in the revolution in his early year and travelled to Hong Kong for business after 1911. He is an expert in literature and art, especially calligraphy and painting. As a leader of the cultural circle in Hong Kong, famous artists such as Gao Jianfu, Huang Binhong, Xu Beihong and Liu Haisu visited him when they held exhibitions in Hong Kong. Using his understanding of painting and calligraphy, he subsequently organized a club dedicated to literature and the arts in 1927, drawing in members from the globe. Du Qizhang was later permanently promoted as the president of the club and held a pivotal position in the business and cultural sphere of Hong Kong. Aside from fine arts, he possesses high musical literacy, notably proficient at the guqin and known as “Juexiang” in said circles.‌Correspondences from Zheng ZhipengAlbum of twenty-seven double leaves, ink on paperVarious sizeSix correspondences from Zheng ZhipengTitleslip entitle, inscribed and signed by Xu Beihong (1895-1953)‌‌NOTE:‌‌Zheng Zhipeng is a native of Hatou, Guangdong. As a famous Cantonese businessman in the late Qing Dynasty and the Republic Era, he traveled to Australia for business and founded Guishantang to seek public welfare for overseas Chinese. Zheng Zhipeng is also the author of the "Danguixuan Collection".