China: Its Costume, Arts, Manufactures, &c.

Edited principally from the Originals in the Cabinet of the late M. Bertin. First English editions. 4 volumes bound in 2. 80 engraved plates. 8vo. In contemporary half calf with marbled paper boards, repairs to hinges. Endpapers foxed. Very good otherwise. [iv], 128; [ii], 125; [iv], 135; [ii], 160pp. London, J. J. Stockdale, 

"Originated in the activities of Bertin, Secretary of State 1762-1780, who had responsibility for the Compagnie des Indes and the French Jesuits in Peking" (Lust). The stipple-and-line engravings for the most part show costumes of various professions in China. They show military, ceremonial and traditional costumes, weaponry, means of transport, arts and crafts, implements, toys and other objects of everyday life, as well as scenes of punishments and executions. The majority of the plates were based on original drawings in the private collection of the French Secretary of State Henri Léonard Jean Baptiste Bertin (1719-1792) who was in charge of the French East India Company. The first French edition was published in 1811-12. A nice, clean copy. Cordier 65; Abbey 535; c.f. Lust 1243.

Stock Code: 202994