Status Symbols of Shanghai's Rich in the 1980's

Times sure do change. To be considered rich in 2017 you need a whole collection of million dollar status symbols, from your car to a penthouse apartment, jewelry, etc. 30 years ago in Shanghai though, their status symbols were a little more quaint…

LEAP TV

One of the first generations of TV for a Shangahainese family. It doesn’t matter that it’s black and white, it beats sharing a television with your entire neighborhood.

LEAP RADIOGRAM

It was a rare site to see a radiogram in the 1970’s. Back in the day, neighbors would frequently ‘drop in’ to hear the sounds coming out of the radio. Now it is a great antique collectable, especially The Leap No. 271 Radiogram (manufactured in the 1950’s.) This little machine can fetch up to RMB20,000 at antique auctions.

PHOENIX BICYCLE

Bicycles were the main transportation mode of Shanghai in the 70’s and 80’s. The Phoenix emerged from the pack though, becoming well known in China and even becoming the first of its kind to be exported internationally. Getting your hands on one at the time was not easy, you were only able to get this bicycle with special tickets.

SEAGULL CAMERA

In Shanghai’s 1970-80s, whoever owned a Seagull camera would be envied by people around them because of how cool they were, as well as their limited production. When a new model came out, people would wait in line beginning at midnight, similar to the modern day iPhone launches. Nowadays certain Seagull models can auction for up to RMB200,000.

555 TABLE CLOCK 

These used to be household items for only very well-established families. Its unique body and simple style has become an iconic visual relic of a past era.  

NIE ER PIANO

Nie Er Pianos first began being made in the 1940’s, taking their name from Nie Er, the Shanghainese musician who composed the national anthem of China. This was considered a lavish luxury household item. 

SHUANGLU REFRIGERATOR

Pairdeer was the first state-run refrigerator manufacturer in China. With good quality and reputation, a Pairdeer refrigerator keeps functional for over ten years and you never have to bother to fix them. But getting your hands on a refridgerator is only reserved for people with special privileges

SHANGHAI WATCH

SHANGHAI watch, is one of the old icons of the city. Back in the day, a watch was considered one of the three essential must-haves (in addition to the sewing machine, and bicycle). On July 1st, 1958, SHANGHAI watch came into market in the Third Department Store in Shanghai. The A581SHANG model watch is currently an ‘invaluable’ asset for collectors.

SHANGHAI SARTORIUS

Many Shanghai families owned an old sewing machine in the past. It was more important than a watch for its practical everyday uses, and was especially important for someone preparing to get married.

BUS TICKET & TRAM TICKET

Shanghai Bus tickets were only available for office workers with a government status or persons of stature.

COMIC BOOKS

Comic books were of dire importance to kids growing up in that era, and if you had a new one, your friends wouldn’t leave you alone until they got a crack at it. Although they seemed trivial at the time, some of the older ones can fetch millions at auction today. 

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