photographs

Photograph of Marco Polo's busy dining room, with an instrumental group playing in the background.

Colour photo of a sign placed in the restaurant's interior and featuring the specialty Mongolian hot pot.

Colour photograph #2 of 2, of a musical group performing on Marco Polo's stage. The group consists of 4 men in matching red suit jackets and one woman in sequinned pantsuit on vocals. Behind them are three more musicians, with one on a brass instrument and another on piano. Colour is notably faded on the object's right side likely due to age and light exposure.

Colour photograph #1 of 2, of a musical group performing on Marco Polo's stage. The group consists of 4 men in matching red suit jackets and one woman in sequinned pantsuit on vocals. Behind them are three more musicians, with one on a brass instrument and another on piano. Colour is notably faded on the object's right side likely due to age and light exposure.

A black-and-white photograph of a darkened opera set, depicting a small town square. Faint light filters in through a dirty skylight, while a man in dark clothing sits at a table at stage-left. Second of a set of three. Taken of a 1962 production of Puccini's Tosca put on by the Vancouver Opera Association.

A black-and-white photograph of a darkened opera set, depicting a small town square. Faint light filters in through a dirty skylight, while a man in dark clothing sits at a table at stage-left. Second of a set of three. Taken of a 1962 production of Puccini's Tosca put on by the Vancouver Opera Association.

Photograph of Marco Polo's east exterior wall on the southwest corner of Pender & Columbia in Vancouver's Chinatown. The wall is painted red, with yellow text reading, in full, "Marco Polo / the original / Chinese Smorgasbord." A painted long, orange dragon twists around the words.

Exterior of Marco Polo on the southwest corner of Pender & Columbia in Vancouver's Chinatown. Photograph looks westward, to the restaurant's front entrance and large square signboard.

Colour photo of a packed venue at the Marco Polo: people dance onstage, while musicians play in the background; diners sit and eat at tables; women in bunny outfits serve or entertain.

Black and white photo of four "China Dolls," regular dancers at the Marco Polo Restaurant, posing with various hand gestures.

Black and white exterior shot of Marco Polo restaurant with a sandwich board standing in front.

Black and white photo of a commercial street in what appears to be Vancouver's Chinatown, showing various Chinese restaurants and shops. Judging by the street sign for Foo's Restaurant, this is likely a photograph looking east on E Pender from Marco Polo's location on E Pender and Columbia St.

Colour photo of 10 Marco Polo guests seated around a round table bearing a "lazy Susan" and various food dishes. Behind them is what appears to be a stylized painting of a ginkgo tree and crane.

Colour photo of 10 Marco Polo guests seated around a round table. Other guests socialize in the background, and a musician plays drums around celebratory balloons.

Colour photo of 10 Marco Polo guests seated around a square table - possibly a celebration as suggested by the presence of balloons.

Colour photo of 6 Marco Polo guests seated around a square table with teacups and other drink glasses. The back wall has bamboo accents and gold brocade wallpaper.

Colour photo of a group of guests at the Marco Polo Restaurant seated around a round table. A poster for a sold out New Years Party in the background suggests this party may be visiting in winter.

Colour photo of a group of guests at the Marco Polo Restaurant seated around a round table - possibly a celebration as suggested by the presence of balloons.

Black and white photo of the street entrance to the Marco Polo Theatre and Restaurant, with large sign advertising buffet. This image looks to the southwest corner of E Pender St and Columbia St, in Vancouver's Chinatown.

Black and white photo of Victor Louie, owner of Marco Polo, tasting a dish prepared by chef, who holds up the dish.

Black and white photo of four "China Dolls," regular dancers at the Marco Polo Restaurant. They are wearing bright costumes and hair decorations, and pose with hands on hips.

Black and white photo shows diners lined up at a table with a buffet spread, one type of food service seen at the Marco Polo.

Photo, in colour, of the inside of the Marco Polo Restaurant in its operational days, showing the layout of the tables and chairs, menus, large wall art, and interior decorations.