An exhibition themed on Zhang Jian opens at the Chinese Charity Museum in Nantong, attracting many historians, collectors, and enthusiasts. [Photo provided to en.nantong.gov.cn]

An exhibition about Zhang Jian (1853-1926), a renowned industrial magnate, educator, and scholar, recently opened at the Chinese Charity Museum in Nantong. 

Organized by 62-year-old collector Qian Jin, the exhibition features over 300 precious items, systematically outlining Zhang Jian’s journey in saving the nation through the development of industry since 1895.

Among the exhibits, a series of trademarks, led by the Kuixing (the God of Literature in Chinese mythology) design, are the most captivating. In 1895, when Zhang Jian founded the Dasheng Cotton Mills, he recognized the importance of trademarks and designed a series with strong national characteristics.

Additionally, trademarks from other enterprises founded by Zhang Jian, such as Dasheng Textile Company, Yisheng Brewing Factory, and Fuxing Flour Mills, are also on display. These bilingual trademarks, in both Chinese and English, still look fashionable today.

The exhibition also highlights Zhang Jian's contributions to sports. Over a century ago, Zhang emphasized the development of sports and built two public sports fields in Nantong. Featured in the exhibition is an old photograph of a sports event, showing athletes wearing sports shirts with the "Dasheng" logo.

The exhibition attracts many historians and collectors. Zhang Jian's great-grandson, Zhang Shenxin, also traveled specially from Beijing to attend. "These trademarks, stocks, and documents provide valuable insight into research on Zhang Jian," he said.