The Monkey and the Tiger. Two Chinese Detective Stories -
Robert H. Van Gulik
1965 - Heinemann, London - First Edition
A superior first edition of the eleventh book in the Judge Dee series, containing two stories The Morning of the Monkey and The Night of the Tiger chronologically seventh and twenty second tale, being set in China 666 and 676 AD respectively.
With eight illustrations and a Sketchmap of the Flooded Area from woodblock prints, and endpapers illustrated with The Chinese Zodiac, in Chinese style by Van Gulik.
With review slip laid in from the publisher. Dr. Robert Hans Van Gulik (1910-67) got his Ph.D. in Oriental languages at the age of 24, knew fluently about fifteen languages, produced a vast body of sometimes groundbreaking scholarly works on (mainly) Chinese culture, achieved a high proficiency in Chinese calligraphy and in playing the Chinese lute, very much like a mandarin of old times. His collection of Chinese artefacts and rare books merited a specific sale at Christie’s in 1983. Whilst doing all this he rose to become Netherlands ambassador to Japan before retiring, with his pet gibbon.
Small octavo (book size 18.9x12.4cm), pp. vii [1] 144. Publisher’s brown cloth, spine lettered in gilt, dust jacket priced at ‘16s NET’ to front flap. Condition: Near fine, foxing to top edge, in fine dust jacket. Ref: 111845 Price: HK$ 1,800
With eight illustrations and a Sketchmap of the Flooded Area from woodblock prints, and endpapers illustrated with The Chinese Zodiac, in Chinese style by Van Gulik.
With review slip laid in from the publisher. Dr. Robert Hans Van Gulik (1910-67) got his Ph.D. in Oriental languages at the age of 24, knew fluently about fifteen languages, produced a vast body of sometimes groundbreaking scholarly works on (mainly) Chinese culture, achieved a high proficiency in Chinese calligraphy and in playing the Chinese lute, very much like a mandarin of old times. His collection of Chinese artefacts and rare books merited a specific sale at Christie’s in 1983. Whilst doing all this he rose to become Netherlands ambassador to Japan before retiring, with his pet gibbon.
Small octavo (book size 18.9x12.4cm), pp. vii [1] 144. Publisher’s brown cloth, spine lettered in gilt, dust jacket priced at ‘16s NET’ to front flap. Condition: Near fine, foxing to top edge, in fine dust jacket. Ref: 111845 Price: HK$ 1,800