Chinese Snuff Bottle Discussion Forum 中國鼻煙壺討論論壇

Hi all

It is sad news to announce the passing of a long established dealer, Mr Y.F. Yang, age 96.

His son, Mr Stanley Yang informed me about it. He has just returned from the funeral in Hawaii where The elder Yang lived.

I first met Mr Y.F. Yang at the Hawaii ICSBS Convention in 1993. I visited his shop while I was there. He was friendly and warm, just like his son who I have known earlier.

May he rests in peace.


Richard

Mr. Y.F. Yang had been a legendary and highly respected figure in the world of snuff bottle collection, regarded by many collectors as the snuff bottle guru, expert, encyclopaedia. Many of us collectors see owning a snuff bottle with his name as the provenance a kind of special honor and privilege, and I'm blessed with that opportunity. Unfortunately I have not got the opportunity to meet him in person and learn about snuff bottles from him... His passing is a great loss to the snuff bottle academia and collecting community.

May he rest in peace.

Samson

Sad to hear that Mr Y.F.Yang has passed away as whenever anyone mentioned his name it was with the utmost respect.

Regards, Adrian

That is really sad news!!

His name was mentioned thousands times on the FORUM , and I have been always dreaming that I can have a chance to visit Mr Y.F. Yang in person someday with Joey together.

Yes, his passing is a great loss to the snuff bottle community.

May he rest in Peace.

Steven

Very sad indeed.. Although I did not know him personally, his name was always connected with reputable and respected discussions..

I am saddened to learn this news. Y. F Yang's knowledge and expertise, which he shared generously, has guided at least 3 generations of collectors.

I met him in November 1978 on my first visit to Hong Kong. At that time he had a shop inside Ocean Terminal, Kowloon. Being a student on limited budget I was barely able to afford one bottle - an attractive agate which I still have.

Unfortunately I never met him again. The next time I had an opportunity to visit Hong Kong was sixteen years later, in 1994. I found his shop (which had relocated to a shopping arcade in the nearby Hong Kong Hotel), where I met his son Stanley, who informed me that his father had moved to Hawaii.

Tom

   Because of Jewish New Year [20.Sept. at sunset to 22.Sept. when Shabbat started], I did not see Richard's post till now (on Saturday). I should be doing my Sabbath Prayers; but I will do them after I write something about the late Yong-Fu Yang, who I considered not only a great and close friend, but also 'Mori veRabi', "My Master and My Teacher " in snuff bottles and indeed in Chinese Culture generally.
 
   And I must thank Tom, who informed me 2 days ago; thanks to him, I spoke to Berthe Ford yesterday, who informed me that Y.F., as everyone called him, had passed away on 10.Sept.2017 in Honolulu. 

   May G-D Console Y.F.'s family and friends, and May they know no more sorrow. Bless G-D The True Judge.

    Shabbat Shalom,
Joey

Shabbat Shalom to all,


   

   

Dear Joey,

By any chance that you know Mr Y.F. Yang's chinese name? Is "杨永福“ correct?

Thanks!

Steven

Dear Steven,

     The family spell it Yung Fu Yang in English. I'm sorry, I don't know the Chinese characters. But they are Hui Nationality Moslems, if that helps.
Best,
Joey

Dear Steven,

I think you may be right with Mr. Y.F. Yang's name in Chinese characters. I heard Peter Lee pronouncing his name in mandarin (essentially Beijing Hua since Peter Lee was from Beijing), and it sounded that way, so 杨永福 should be it.

BTW, Peter Lee retired and returned to Toronto to reunite with some of his family members back in July. I think he worked with Mr. Yang in the past and he's not much younger than Mr. Yang.

Best,
Samson

I always wonder how he looked, but never managed to find any picture of him over the internet.

Best,
Samson

Thanks Joey and Samson!


-Dear Samson,

You have to know that Mr Y.F. Yang have been retired (or half retired ) for many years,  I guess its normal that there is no any photo posted on internet since there was no such thing as internet during his most active period.

I did find a couple of his photos on ICSBS journal, I hope its ok to share it here in memory of the great collector.

Steven

Hi Steven & all

Yes, Mr Y.F. Yang's Chinese name is 杨永福.

Regards.


Richard

Dear Steven,

     As a Board Member of the ICSBS, I'm giving you permission to post the photo.
     John Ford is in the middle, but I don't recognise the gentleman on his right.
I hope it's not Paul Braga or someone else I knew 30 years ago and should recognise, but don't.  ::) :o ;D
Best,
Joey

Thanks Steven! Finally get to see how the legendary Mr. Y.F. Yang looked like. John Ford hasn't changed much I think.

Best,
Samson

Thanks Richard and Joey for the info. on YF Yang, a name mentioned so often on our Forum.
Inn Bok

Thanks Richard for your confirmation. ;D

Thanks Joey for your support !! ;) The gentleman on the left is Mario Zurrer according the title of the pic.

Steven

Dear Steven,

      Oh! I never met Mario Zurrer, but I'm friendly with his widow (we met in 2006 at SFO convention, along with his grandson), and I've seen both the latter two at conventions since.

      Best,
Joey