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The Three Voyages of Captain James Cook, with "The Death of Captain Cook" Plate -
James Cook, John Hawkesworth, James King
1773 - Strahan, London - Second Edition, First Edition, Second Edition
A complete set of the best possible editions, superbly bound in full tree calf and with the additional ‘Death of Captain Cook’ drawn by the John Weber who witnessed the dispute and ensuing fight. Eight quarto volumes and the elephant folio volume of plates. Magnificently illustrated with two hundred and five engraved charts and plates, many of which are double page or larger.
There is no greater set of travel works, Cook was the first scientific navigator, these three voyages made great contributions to numerous fields of knowledge,, and did more to clarify the geographical knowledge of the southern hemisphere than his predecessors had done together [Hill].
The first voyage is in its second and best edition, complete with the ‘Directions for placing the cuts’ and the ‘Chart of the Straights of Magellan’, and with the new Preface containing Hawkesworth's virulent eight-page reply to Dalrymple's whining reviews of the first edition, and the whole volume revised by the voyage's astronomer William Wales.
The third voyage is in its second and best edition, with the printing by Hughs (rather than Strahan who printed the first edition) with the text itself entirely re-set. Isaac Smith presenting a set on behalf of Cook's widow in 1821 noted that 'I am desired by Mrs Cook to request your acceptance of the 4 books sent herewith being her Husbands last Voyage round the World, as a mark of her respect the letter press of the second edition being much superior to the first both in paper & letter press' (quoted by Forbes, Hawaiian National Bibliography, 85). King George III's copy of the official account, preserved in the British Library, is also an example of this second edition. This particular set with variant title pages, dated correctly, but without edition statement or vignette of Royal Society medal.
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Price HK$ 430,000
1773 - Strahan, London - Second Edition, First Edition, Second Edition
A complete set of the best possible editions, superbly bound in full tree calf and with the additional ‘Death of Captain Cook’ drawn by the John Weber who witnessed the dispute and ensuing fight. Eight quarto volumes and the elephant folio volume of plates. Magnificently illustrated with two hundred and five engraved charts and plates, many of which are double page or larger.There is no greater set of travel works, Cook was the first scientific navigator, these three voyages made great contributions to numerous fields of knowledge,, and did more to clarify the geographical knowledge of the southern hemisphere than his predecessors had done together [Hill].
The first voyage is in its second and best edition, complete with the ‘Directions for placing the cuts’ and the ‘Chart of the Straights of Magellan’, and with the new Preface containing Hawkesworth's virulent eight-page reply to Dalrymple's whining reviews of the first edition, and the whole volume revised by the voyage's astronomer William Wales.
The third voyage is in its second and best edition, with the printing by Hughs (rather than Strahan who printed the first edition) with the text itself entirely re-set. Isaac Smith presenting a set on behalf of Cook's widow in 1821 noted that 'I am desired by Mrs Cook to request your acceptance of the 4 books sent herewith being her Husbands last Voyage round the World, as a mark of her respect the letter press of the second edition being much superior to the first both in paper & letter press' (quoted by Forbes, Hawaiian National Bibliography, 85). King George III's copy of the official account, preserved in the British Library, is also an example of this second edition. This particular set with variant title pages, dated correctly, but without edition statement or vignette of Royal Society medal.
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Price HK$ 430,000
A String of Chinese Peach-Stones -
W. Arthur Cornaby
1895 - Charles H. Kelly, London - First Edition, First Issue
A near fine first edition of Cornaby's work, in original gilt pictorial cloth binding, which ‘represents an important attempt to expand Western knowledge of central China in the late nineteenth century. Touching on folklore, topography, daily rituals and social norms as well as the devastating effects of the Taiping Rebellion, the Methodist missionary carefully documents Chinese society, focusing especially on a farming village’ [CUP].
Scarce with the wonderful original decorative gilt covers in such nice condition. With two full page colour lithographic plates, and the text profusely illustrated throughout from woodblock prints, sketches, seals, paintings and photographs.
As the author describes in his introduction, ‘The title? It may be taken to indicate that you are in possession of a collection of desiccated tales, legends, and the like, picked up here and there along the highways and byways of China. Or if you should be charitable enough to regard the body of the book as a story in itself, the title wil still apply; for a string of peach-stones, literal enough to hang upon a study wall, does certainly figure in these pages’.
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Price HK$ 4,000
1895 - Charles H. Kelly, London - First Edition, First Issue
A near fine first edition of Cornaby's work, in original gilt pictorial cloth binding, which ‘represents an important attempt to expand Western knowledge of central China in the late nineteenth century. Touching on folklore, topography, daily rituals and social norms as well as the devastating effects of the Taiping Rebellion, the Methodist missionary carefully documents Chinese society, focusing especially on a farming village’ [CUP].Scarce with the wonderful original decorative gilt covers in such nice condition. With two full page colour lithographic plates, and the text profusely illustrated throughout from woodblock prints, sketches, seals, paintings and photographs.
As the author describes in his introduction, ‘The title? It may be taken to indicate that you are in possession of a collection of desiccated tales, legends, and the like, picked up here and there along the highways and byways of China. Or if you should be charitable enough to regard the body of the book as a story in itself, the title wil still apply; for a string of peach-stones, literal enough to hang upon a study wall, does certainly figure in these pages’.
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Price HK$ 4,000
Journal of an Embassy from the Governor General of India to the Court of Ava -
John Crawfurd
1829 - Henry Colburn, London - First Edition
A rare first edition of Crawfurd’s observant and detailed account of his mission to Burma, the distinguished orientalist’s final colonial mission after nearly 30 years in Southeast Asia.
With the large engraved folding ‘Map of the Burman Dominions and Adjacent Countries’ (60x76cm), by John Walker (1787-1873).
Crawfurd was appointed British Resident at Ava in the wake of the First Anglo-Burmese War, and resided at the Burmese Capital from 1826 to 1827. Here he gives a fascinating narrative of his 400 mile journey up the Irrawaddy by paddle-steamer, of his reception at the capital, the weeks of negotiations over a commercial treaty and the terms of the Yandabo Treaty, and various excursions made. He then goes on to describe their departure and adds general chapters on Burmese society, religion, trade and history. The expedition fortuitously was delayed on the return journey for repairs giving time for Crawfurd to collect significant fossils and 18,000 botanical specimens.
Illustrated with five aquatint plates (three of which are hand-coloured), an engraved ‘Plan of the Fortress and City of Ava’, six in-text woodblock illustrations and five lithographed plates of fossils to the rear.
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Price HK$ 42,000
1829 - Henry Colburn, London - First Edition
A rare first edition of Crawfurd’s observant and detailed account of his mission to Burma, the distinguished orientalist’s final colonial mission after nearly 30 years in Southeast Asia.With the large engraved folding ‘Map of the Burman Dominions and Adjacent Countries’ (60x76cm), by John Walker (1787-1873).
Crawfurd was appointed British Resident at Ava in the wake of the First Anglo-Burmese War, and resided at the Burmese Capital from 1826 to 1827. Here he gives a fascinating narrative of his 400 mile journey up the Irrawaddy by paddle-steamer, of his reception at the capital, the weeks of negotiations over a commercial treaty and the terms of the Yandabo Treaty, and various excursions made. He then goes on to describe their departure and adds general chapters on Burmese society, religion, trade and history. The expedition fortuitously was delayed on the return journey for repairs giving time for Crawfurd to collect significant fossils and 18,000 botanical specimens.
Illustrated with five aquatint plates (three of which are hand-coloured), an engraved ‘Plan of the Fortress and City of Ava’, six in-text woodblock illustrations and five lithographed plates of fossils to the rear.
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Price HK$ 42,000
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
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
Sport on the Nilgiris and in Wynaad -
F. W. F. Fletcher
1911 - Macmillan &, London - First Edition
‘Fletcher introduces both the terrain and the history of the Nilgiris and Wynaad regions in India, then provides big game chapters on a species-by-species basis. Each of these chapters features not only the natural history of the animals, but also the author's experiences hunting them. Included are chapters devoted to elephant, tiger, leopards, bison, beer, tahr, ibex, sambur, and other deer species.
Fletcher switched from a .450 rifle to a .600 Jeffery: “In cold blood the recoil from his rifle is somewhat severe; but in the excitement of shooting it is not noticeable.”’ - Czech.
Illustrated with 18 plates, and folding coloured map as frontispiece.
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Price HK$ 2,200
1911 - Macmillan &, London - First Edition
‘Fletcher introduces both the terrain and the history of the Nilgiris and Wynaad regions in India, then provides big game chapters on a species-by-species basis. Each of these chapters features not only the natural history of the animals, but also the author's experiences hunting them. Included are chapters devoted to elephant, tiger, leopards, bison, beer, tahr, ibex, sambur, and other deer species.Fletcher switched from a .450 rifle to a .600 Jeffery: “In cold blood the recoil from his rifle is somewhat severe; but in the excitement of shooting it is not noticeable.”’ - Czech.
Illustrated with 18 plates, and folding coloured map as frontispiece.
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Price HK$ 2,200
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
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
A Study of Chinese Paintings in the Collection of Ada Small Moore -
Louise Wallace Hackney, Yau Chang-Foo
1940 - Oxford University Press, London New York Toronto - First Edition
A superior example of this significant and large folio catalogue of the substantial collection of Chinese paintings in the collection Ada Small Moore (Mrs. William H. Moore) from pre T'ang times to the Ch'ing Dynasty.
Profusely illustrated with 43 monochrome plates of paintings (a number of which are folding), five colour plates of paintings, five plates of calligraphy, and three plates of seals. With detailed descriptions of each work, together with additional notes on history and provenance, and detailed indexes.
This copy includes the additional ten page additional supplement describing the Ming Dynasty hand scroll ‘Distinguished Scholars Feast Before Parting by Shên Chou (1427-1509)’ which ‘was added to the Collection too late to be included in this book’. It is also housed in the original scarce dust jacket, which has suffered somewhat to protect this fine copy.
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Price HK$ 14,000
1940 - Oxford University Press, London New York Toronto - First Edition
A superior example of this significant and large folio catalogue of the substantial collection of Chinese paintings in the collection Ada Small Moore (Mrs. William H. Moore) from pre T'ang times to the Ch'ing Dynasty.Profusely illustrated with 43 monochrome plates of paintings (a number of which are folding), five colour plates of paintings, five plates of calligraphy, and three plates of seals. With detailed descriptions of each work, together with additional notes on history and provenance, and detailed indexes.
This copy includes the additional ten page additional supplement describing the Ming Dynasty hand scroll ‘Distinguished Scholars Feast Before Parting by Shên Chou (1427-1509)’ which ‘was added to the Collection too late to be included in this book’. It is also housed in the original scarce dust jacket, which has suffered somewhat to protect this fine copy.
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Price HK$ 14,000
Account of a Voyage of Discovery to the West Coast of Corea, and the Great Loo-Choo Island -
Captain Basil Hall, H. J. Clifford
1818 - John Murray, London - First Edition
A fine full margined copy, with nine aquatint plates by William Havell, all but one hand-coloured, five engraved maps, including two folding, and an engraved plate of ‘Wollaston’s Dip Sector’ instrument.
‘This expedition took Lord Amherst's embassy to China and explored the relatively little-known East China Sea and the Yellow Sea. Visits were made to Korea and the Ryukyu Archipelago. Korea had been sketchily explored by Europeans, but it was not until this 1816-7 expedition of the Alceste and Lyra, under Captains Murray Maxwell and Basil Hall, that detailed information was obtained about the Ryukus. On the homeward passage, the Alceste was wrecked in Gaspar Strait off Sumatra. Captain Hall served in the Royal Navy from 1802-23 and achieved the rank of post-captain. He saw extensive duty on the Pacific coast of America, and continued his travels as a private citizen. He wrote many other books about his travels and experiences.’ - Hill.
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Price HK$ 30,000
1818 - John Murray, London - First Edition
A fine full margined copy, with nine aquatint plates by William Havell, all but one hand-coloured, five engraved maps, including two folding, and an engraved plate of ‘Wollaston’s Dip Sector’ instrument.‘This expedition took Lord Amherst's embassy to China and explored the relatively little-known East China Sea and the Yellow Sea. Visits were made to Korea and the Ryukyu Archipelago. Korea had been sketchily explored by Europeans, but it was not until this 1816-7 expedition of the Alceste and Lyra, under Captains Murray Maxwell and Basil Hall, that detailed information was obtained about the Ryukus. On the homeward passage, the Alceste was wrecked in Gaspar Strait off Sumatra. Captain Hall served in the Royal Navy from 1802-23 and achieved the rank of post-captain. He saw extensive duty on the Pacific coast of America, and continued his travels as a private citizen. He wrote many other books about his travels and experiences.’ - Hill.
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Price HK$ 30,000