China in a Series of Views, Displaying the Scenery, Architecture and Social Habits, of that Ancient Empire.

ALLOM, THOMAS (ILLUSTRATOR) AND WRIGHT, THE REV. G.N.

Published by Fisher, Son & Co. (1843)., London and Paris., 1843

About this Item

Four volumes 28.3 x 22 cms, 4 engraved vignette title-pages and 124 black and white engravings after drawings by Thomas Allom, 72 + 96 pages; 72 pages; 68 pages; 56 pages; contemporary half morocco over pebbled cloth boards, spines gilt lettered with raised bands and decorated in compartments, all edges gilt, morocco a trifle rubbed and scant foxing affecting one of the title pages and a handful of plates, but a very good remarkably clean set, the fine engravings bright with great depth of tone. A very handsome example of an influential work. The fine illustrations are by Thomas Allom (1804-1872), who at the time of this publication was a well-known and highly regarded topographical artist, having produced a series of English views as well as illustrating celebrated works on Turkey and the Middle East. The author of the text (who gets second billing) the Rev'd George Newenham Wright (c. 1794?1877) was an Irish writer and Anglican clergyman who had never travelled to China and despite Allom's travels to Turkey and the Middle East there is no convincing evidence to suggest that he ever made it there either. Wright's text was drawn from his research performed at the British Library, and Allom's illustrations drew on earlier works. The majority of the views show southern China, including images of Hong Kong, Canton and Macao, reflecting the limited British access to China at the time. However, there are also some images and descriptions of Peking, Nanking and Jehol visited by the Macartney Embassy almost fifty years before. Very popular at the time of publication, "China Illustrated" answered a European demand for news of the "exotic Orient" and it gives keen insight into British attitudes towards China in the early 19th Century. It ran to a number of editions including a German edition in 12 parts with smaller plates which appeared shortly after the English edition. Cordier 80-81; Lust 363; Lowendahl 986.

Seller Inventory # 216099

Bibliographic Details

• Title: China in a Series of Views, Displaying the Scenery, Architecture and Social Habits, of that Ancient Empire.
• Publisher: Fisher, Son & Co. (1843)., London and Paris.
• Publication Date: 1843
• Binding: Hardcover
• Seller catalogs:
  • China - Qing