China, in a Series of Views, displaying the Scenery, Architecture, and Social Habits, of that Ancient Empire -
Thomas Allom, Rev. George Newenham Wright, Karl Gutzlaff
Circa 1843 - Fisher, London - First Edition
First edition set of this monumental work in handsome contemporary bindings, internally near fine condition with less than the usually encountered foxing to which the plates of this work are prone.
Four volumes, profusely illustrated with 124 engraved plates, and four additional engraved titles ‘China Illustrated’. Containing striking views of China, from the opium dens to the grand palaces, the coastal fishing villages to the Great Wall, with depictions of torture, tradespeople, etc. expertly engraved from 119 drawings by Allom, twenty-two of which are from sketches by other artists, and five from Chinese artists.
The work begins with Gutzlaff’s 72-page ‘Life of Kang-He. Emperor of China’, following which the illustrations are enhanced by the detailed narrative of George Newenham Wright. This work includes copies of fifteen Chinese drawings from Staunton’s collection, by Captain Stoddart, six by Lieutenant Frederick White, and one by R. Vaughan. Largely dealing with Peking, Nanking, the south-east and south., including Hong Kong.
Thomas Allom (1804-72) was considered to be one of the greatest travel illustrators of the first half of the 19th century, creating most of his works by journeying to the relevant countries, in many cases under the employ of the publisher’s Fisher Son & Co., although he did not visit China for this series, which was his last work for the publisher Fisher, Son & Co.
Reference: Bibliotheca Wittockiana, Western Travellers in China Discovering the Middle Kingdom, 66. Lust, Western Books on China, 363. Cordier, Bibliotheca Sinica, 80. Morrison I 15. Löwendahl, China Illustrata Nova, 986.
Four quarto volumes (binding 28.3x22.3cm), pp. [8] 72, 5-96 [2]; [6] 72 [2]; [6] 68 [2]; [6] 56 [2]. Additional engraved title page to each volume. Finely bound in contemporary half pebble-grain brown morocco over marbled paper boards, spines intricately decorated in blind, gilt borders to raised bands and gilt lettering, matching marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. Condition: Fine but for some toning to edges of frontispieces and title pages, in near fine bindings, minor wear to corners, some rubbing to marbled boards. Ref: 112163 Price: HK$ 20,000
Four volumes, profusely illustrated with 124 engraved plates, and four additional engraved titles ‘China Illustrated’. Containing striking views of China, from the opium dens to the grand palaces, the coastal fishing villages to the Great Wall, with depictions of torture, tradespeople, etc. expertly engraved from 119 drawings by Allom, twenty-two of which are from sketches by other artists, and five from Chinese artists.
The work begins with Gutzlaff’s 72-page ‘Life of Kang-He. Emperor of China’, following which the illustrations are enhanced by the detailed narrative of George Newenham Wright. This work includes copies of fifteen Chinese drawings from Staunton’s collection, by Captain Stoddart, six by Lieutenant Frederick White, and one by R. Vaughan. Largely dealing with Peking, Nanking, the south-east and south., including Hong Kong.
Thomas Allom (1804-72) was considered to be one of the greatest travel illustrators of the first half of the 19th century, creating most of his works by journeying to the relevant countries, in many cases under the employ of the publisher’s Fisher Son & Co., although he did not visit China for this series, which was his last work for the publisher Fisher, Son & Co.
Reference: Bibliotheca Wittockiana, Western Travellers in China Discovering the Middle Kingdom, 66. Lust, Western Books on China, 363. Cordier, Bibliotheca Sinica, 80. Morrison I 15. Löwendahl, China Illustrata Nova, 986.
Four quarto volumes (binding 28.3x22.3cm), pp. [8] 72, 5-96 [2]; [6] 72 [2]; [6] 68 [2]; [6] 56 [2]. Additional engraved title page to each volume. Finely bound in contemporary half pebble-grain brown morocco over marbled paper boards, spines intricately decorated in blind, gilt borders to raised bands and gilt lettering, matching marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. Condition: Fine but for some toning to edges of frontispieces and title pages, in near fine bindings, minor wear to corners, some rubbing to marbled boards. Ref: 112163 Price: HK$ 20,000