DINBJ2
Ding Richang: BAI JIANG TUZHUAN. (Illustrated Biographies of One Hundred Generals). Jiangsu, 1869. [1], 1, 1, 3, 1-51; 52-101; 3, 1-64; 65-109 folded leaves, Chinese-style. Woodcut illustrations throughout. 4 vols. 26x17 cm. Stitched, blue cloth case.
GBP 2,000.00
Scarce copy of the first edition of a work compiled by Ding Richang (1823-82) who was an important military and civil official during the 'interesting times' of the mid-nineteenth century, as China attempted to cope with Western incursions, political reform, and the Taiping uprisings. One of Ding's perhaps less directly efficacious - if inspirational - responses was to make this collection of illustrated biographies of Chinese military heroes.
The book has been rebound in traditional style with lining and sensitive repairs in a few places. It is a good impression on fine paper that has darkened very slightly and has very slight foxing to some preliminary pages. The leaves of the final physical volume have suffered more than the others and there is loss to part of the text on the final leaf. They are well-supported by the rebinding. The illustrations are well-designed and executed. Overall the work is good condition for this type of material and is a fine exemplar of late Qing book illustration.
On Ding Richang, see Hummel 721-22.
Subjects: Illustrated Books Rare Books
Available, as of: 03/07/2008
Was item 169 in printed List 140.
Record produced by Hanshan Tang Books, www.hanshan.com.
