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4 volumes bound in 2. Large 4to. (28 x 21 cm). Contemporary full pebble-grained red morocco, sides richly gilt with foliate panel design, spines in six compartments with raised bands and gilt-decorated compartments, gilt inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. In total 128 steel-engraved plates including 4 engraved vignette title-pages, all with tissue guards. I: pp. 96, with additional engraved title ('China, its scenery, architecture, social habits, &c. illustrated') and 31 plates; II: pp. 72, with additional engraved title and 31 plates; III: pp. 68, with additional engraved title and 31 plates; IV: pp. 56, with additional engraved title and 31 plates. Light foxing to some of the plates, a little toned, some light shelfwear, overall a very good copy in particularly handsome red morocco bindings. Thomas Allom (1804-1872) the noted topographical artist, at a time of increased interest in China, presented the Western world with the most complete portrait of China and Chinese culture up to the middle of the nineteenth century. Captioned in English, French and German, the plates encompass Hong Kong, Beijing, Nanjing, Macao, Guangzhou, and Xiamen, among other locations, and depict, inter alia, harbours, temples, palaces, mountains and rivers, military engagements, punishments, the cultivation of tea and rice and the manufacture of silk, the Great Wall of China, cat merchants, and 'playing at shuttlecock with the feet'. As well as his own observations, Allom includes some images based on the work of earlier artists such as Lieutenant Frederick White, R.M., Captain Stoddart, R.N. and R. Vaughan. The text was by George Wright, a protestant missionary who had spent a considerable time in China. Cordier 80-81; Lust 363; Lowendahl 986. Seller Inventory # 61257
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