or Chinese historical illustrations,
Shanghai, Tien Shih Chai, 1879
Annotations, with illustrations, of 16 codes of conduct proclaimed by emperor K'ang-hsi. The subjects include filial piety; fraternal love; concord in a neighbourhood, industry in agriculture; importance of learning; obligation to pay taxes; etc. The original edition dates from the time of the emperor and the present edition served two functions: to make the texts accessible to Europeans (to which end a brief explanation is attached to each illustration), and to demonstrate the skill of the printers in reducing the size of the illustrations without affecting their clarity.
8vo (20 x 13 cm), title, preface and text in English, unnumbered (approximately 200 leaves), lithographed illustrations throughout, a little marginal damp staining, and small worm track to blank upper margin of final few leaves, original publisher's gilt decorated green silk, green solander box, a very good example.
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