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A Description of the Empire of China and Chinese-Tartary, together with the kingdoms of Korea, and Tibet: containing the geography and history (natural as well as civil) of those countries - Jean-Baptiste Du Halde

1738-41 - Printed by T. Gardner...for Edward Cave, London - First folio edition in English.
Two large folio volumes in contemporary bindings. One of the most celebrated of all 18th century works on China, profusely illustrated with 64 engraved plates, including D’Anville’s exceptional maps (42 large maps most engraved by Bowen), 9 city and temple plans, and 13 full-page plates depicting dress, customs and ceremonies. With exquisitely engraved headpieces and initial letters.

The completest [sic] and most valuable history of the Chinese Empire which had appeared up to the time of its publication.’ [Cox,
Literature of Travel]

The maps by Jean Baptiste Bourguignon d’Anville are based on the extensive Jesuit surveys carried out for the Emperor Kangxi between 1708 and 1718. These maps ‘remained the principal cartographical authority on China during the rest of the 18th century’. [Tooley]
 
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Price HK$ 220,000



Morokoshi Meish - Okada Gyokuzan, Oka Y

1806 [Bunka 3] - Kawachiya Kichibei [and 11 others], Ô - First Edition
Very scarce first edition of this magnificently illustrated six volume work on the famous places of Qing Dynasty China, with approximately 327 full-page woodblock prints (xylographic printing on mulberry paper) of which there are 135 double-page illustrations, 1 triple page illustration and three eight-page illustrations (a few of the maps being outlined in red ink). Edited and illustrated by Japanese artists Okada Gyokuzan, (1737-1812), Oka Yûgaku (1762-1833) and Ôhara Toya (1771-1840).

The text printed in Chinese and Japanese with Japanese reading marks. In original publishers blue wrappers, and housed in a custom made navy morocco leather and cloth clamshell case, titled in gilt.

The illustrations depict mostly topographical views: natural archaeological or sacred sites (the Four Sacred Mountains of Buddhism, monasteries) and palaces, or historical and legendary scenes based on classical literature. Specifically a map of China and Korea, a map of Peking, a plan of the the Forbidden City, a fine double-page plate depicting the astronomical observatory of Peking set up by the Jesuits Johann Adam Schall and Ferdinand Verbiest, maps and views of the Great Wall and its numerous gates. There are also views of buildings no longer extant, such as the Imperial Elephant Stables.

In summary - Eleven 2-page maps, thirteen 2-page city plans, six 2-page temple plans, three 8-page scenery print, one 3-page scenery print, one-hundred and five 2-page scenery prints, thirty 1-page scenery prints, nineteen in-text prints, four pages of Chinese costume prints, two circular prints of Chinese dignitaries, one full page print of patterns, nine pages of prints of Chinese weapons, armour, and tents, four pages of prints of Chinese vessels and containers, five pages of prints of costumes and jewellery, ten pages of prints of musical instruments, two pages of prints of scales, nineteen pages of prints of modes of transport and accompanying banners and musicians, eight pages of prints of globes and other related instruments, a two page army schematic, four pages of prints of Chinese military costumes, two pages of elephant accessories, and numerous vignettes and samples of Chinese text.
 
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Price HK$ 110,000



Shanghai Of To-Day. A Souvenir Album of Fifty Vandyke Gravure Prints of The Model Settlement - F. L. Hawks Pott

1930 - Kelly &, Shanghai - Third Edition &ndash
A superior copy of the enlarged edition with fifty tipped-on black and white photographic plates using the Vandyck printing process, preceded by an introduction by Francis Lister Hawks Pott (1864-1947), President of St. John's College in Shanghai (later renamed St. John's University), one of China's oldest and most prestigious universities.

‘Shanghai, being a Treaty Port, was composed of two parts : the native of Shanghai city, under the control and administration of the Chinese and the foreign governed Shanghai International Settlement. This work, fully illustrated with photographs, covers the most important places of the Shanghai International al Settlement, with it’s emphasis on the more Western-Style architecture, in particular administrative or commercial buildings and some religious buildings, combined to present Shanghai as a modern and attractive city.’
 
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Price HK$ 11,000



A Short History of Shanghai: Being An Account of the Growth and Development of the International Settlement - F. L. Hawks Pott

1928 - Kelly &, Shanghai - First Edition
A comprehensive and focussed work on the history of the International Settlement in Shanghai. The true and rare first edition in dust jacket. Not to be confused with the later 1970’s and 1980’s facsimile copies.

With wonderful large folding panoramic view of the Bund in 1928 (75cm), folding colour map of ‘Shanghai in 1855’, and six full page black and white photographs.

By Francis Lister Hawks Pott (1864-1947), an American Episcopal missionary and educator who spent 55 years in China and served as President of St. John's College in Shanghai (later renamed St. John's University), one of China's oldest and most prestigious universities.
 
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Price HK$ 6,000



The Later Ceramic Wares of China - Robert Lockhart Hobson

1925 - Ernest Benn, London - First Edition. Deluxe Issue. Number 28 of 250 signed copies
A fine copy of the limited edition which was signed by Hobson and contains five additional colour plates (plates A to E), in the publisher’s deluxe full glazed pigskin binding.

Hobson’s exhaustive and scholarly work, is a natural sequel to
Wares of the Ming Dynasty, carrying on the history of Chinese pottery and porcelain and completing the trilogy that began with Early Ceramic Wares of China. Chapters include general history, detailed studies of various periods, European influences on Chinese porcelain, as well as explanations of shapes, designs, and marks.

Profusely illustrated with twenty four full page colour plates, eight folding colour plates, and fifty full page monochrome plates. There are also a small number of in-text emblems, symbols, and the final chapter on potter’s marks provides five pages of examples.
 
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Price HK$ 18,000



Szechwan: Its Products, Industries and Resources - Sir Alexander Hosie

1922 - Kelly &, Shanghai - First Edition
First edition of this comprehensive study, the majority focussed on the expertise of Sir Alexander Hosie, former Consul-General for the Province ofd Szechuan, Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Products.

Two large folding sketch maps of Eastern and Western Szechwan, drawn by Florence Hosie

With a gift inscription to the front dated January 2, 1922, Shanghai.
 
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Price HK$ 1,600



1857 to 1858
The original 320 page hand-written journal of Captain Robert Jenkins, during his time as Commander of HMS Actaeon for the year 1857 and HMS Comus in 1857, both ships active off the coast of China, mostly around Canton. Included is a hand drawn and water coloured sketch of Chinese villagers being forced to kowtow to the Union Jack. Finely bound in contemporary black calf and brass locks.

HMS Actaeon was commissioned in 1857 to serve as a survey vessel off the coast of China, under the command of Captain William Thornton Bate. She was present at the bombardment of Canton in 1857,where Bate was shot and killed on 29th. December. Captain Robert Jenkins took over the command of the ship and his journal refers to the bombardment of Canton, surveying factories, disputes over land between British and Chinese merchants. It also covers skirmishes with armed junks and defence of the Barrier. Locations include Hong Kong ,Canton, Macao and Amoy.

According to the Journal it appears that Jenkins was wounded seriously on June 30th 1858, and on September 16th ‘Joined Commander J Ward, [vice?] Captain R Jenkins discharged to Half Pay’, September 18th ‘I went to Shanghai with Commander Ward’, from whence Jenkins travelled to Hong Kong, Singapore, Penang, Galli, Aden, Alexandria, Malta, Gibralter, Falmouth, arriving in Southampton 19th November, one month after leaving Shanghai.

Journal Size 29 x 23.5 cm. pp. [4] [144 (1st January to 31st December 1857 as Commander of HMS Comus)] [9 (Summary of year 1857 as Commander of HMS Comus)] [1]; [7(January 1-19th, last days as Commander of HMS Comus)] [1] [92 (January 20th to 19th November as Commander of HMS Actaeon)] [4] [8 (Summary of year 1857 as Commander of HMS Actaeon)] [50]. Paper watermarked ‘1852’ ‘Fellows’.
 
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Price HK$ 130,000



Chinese Fairy Tales - Phyllis Juby

1934 - Newspaper Enterprise, Hong Kong - First Editions
Four beautiful and fine little Fairy Tales bound in Chinese style, illustrated throughout ‘in the Chinese manner’ by her husband Hungarian (later South African) architect and pioneer film set designer Alesandro Sandor Konya. Housed in the publisher’s patterned purple silk case.

Includes:
The Mysterious Boat-Girl.
Hai and the Fairy Songster.
The Priest, The Moonmaid and The Fool's Magic.
The Stone Monkey.
 
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Price HK$ 8,000



 
Results 9 - 16 of 36 results