In 1939, A.T. "Arch" Steele, an American foreign correspondent for the Chicago Daily News who was living in China, traveled to the Kumbum Monastery in Northern Tibet to see the 4 year old child from Amdo who was being examined for signs as proof of his claim to the throne of Tibet as the fourteenth Dalai Lama. In 1944, Arch was granted a passport to Lhasa to again visit with the now enthroned fourteenth Dalai Lama, who was then 9 years old.
These photographs were taken by Steele in 1939 at the Kumbum Monastery and in 1944 during his travels to Lhasa; they were subsequently donated to the Center for Asian Studies at Arizona State University in Tempe.
The Chicago Daily News "expedition" to Lhasa, crossing the Nyapso-la (16,400 foot pass).
On the trail to Lhasa holy monuments line the way. This chorten forms a arch over the trail.
G70. A yak-skin boat on the upper Brahmaputra River, central Tibet.
G72. Looking down the length of our boat on the journey down the Brahmaputra River.
A Tibetan monk on pilgrimage. He carries a spear.
Archway of stones and prayer flags over the 16,400 foot pass of Kharo-la, on road to Lhasa.
There is not much machinery in Tibet, and when it is brought in, it has to be carried over the passes, in pieces. Here is a part of a small machine for pressing mustard seeds (for oil). The inevitable prayer flag adorns the load.
A caravan crossing the Nyapso-la (pass) on route to China (Central Tibet).
The Yamdrok Lake (more than 14,000 feet above sea level), with the castled town of Pedi on its shore.
Skirting the northern rampart of the Himalayas, on the trail to Lhasa, in Tibet.
My Tibetan servant Pa-sang ("Friday"), with friends.