Author: BRETON DE LA MARTINIéRE, JEAN BAPTISTE JOSEPH:
Title: China: Its Costume, Arts, Manufactures, &c. Edited Principally from the Originals in the Cabinet of the late M. Bertin: With Observations Explanatory, Historical, and Literary. Four volumes in two. London, J.J. Stockdale, 1812.
Description: . Pp. (iv), 128; (ii), 125; (ii), 135; (ii), 160. With 80 coloured engraved plates. (One plate restored in outer margin). Contemporary full calf ruled in gilt, rebacked to style, spine gilt in compartments with red title labels, lightly rubbed. Bookplate. First English edition, translated from the original French (Paris 1811-12). This work "originated in the activities of Bertin, secretary of State, 1762-80, who had responsibility for the Compagnie converts to take science courses in France. On return to China, they produced some 400 drawings of arts and crafts, thus moving outside the usual narrow missionary interests" (Lust). The charming plates mainly depict various artisans and vendors with their tools and products but some are devoted to costumes of emperors, ladies and soldiers. Abbey Travel 535. Colas 435. Cordier BS 65 (2nd ed.). Lust 1243.

Keywords: East Asia, china, chine, chinese, kina, asia, asie, asiatic, asien, travel, voyage, exploration, illustration, colour plates,


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