Wu Tianren, previously named Wu Yuxi and alternatively known as Wu Lizhuang, was born in Nanhai, Guangdong. During his lifetime, Wu made over a thousand modern poems, documenting and commenting on contemporary events. As a historian, he devoured several decades to compile detailed chronologies of nine critical figures in the history of modern China such as Kang Youwei, Liang Qichao and Cai E.

Li Chaoren (1909-1980), born in Xinxing, Guangdong, was very active in the pre-war years in Guangzhou. During the war, he moved to Sichuan with his family and, as an art enthusiasit, developed friendships with reknowned painters such as Zhang Daqian, Huang Junbi, Zhao Shaoang. It was also during this period he purchased the paper from Shibijia that was later used in the present lot. He returned to Hong Kong after the war and devoted himself to education. In the 1950s-60s, he was the principle of Kwok Man School in Cheung Chau, and establish friendships with Rao Zongyi and Wu Tianren.