The Golden Lotus

A later edition of this four volume translation of the Chinese novel Jin Ping Mei or Chin P'ing Mei. Complete in four volumes. Later edition. Jin Ping Mei or Chin P'ing Mei, translated into English as The Plum in the Golden Vase or The Golden Lotus, is a Chinese novel of manners composed in vernacular Chinese during the latter half of the sixteenth century during the late Ming dynasty. Consisting of one hundred chapters, its authorship is unknown having been published under the pseudonym Lanling Xiaoxiao Sheng "The Scoffing Scholar of Lanling". The story, set during the years 1111 to 1127 of the Northern Song dynasty, centers on Ximen Qing, a corrupt social climber and lustful merchant who is wealthy enough to marry six wives and concubines. Translated by Frederic Clement Christie Egerton, an early and mid-twentieth century British travel and adventure writer best known for this work. In the original full cloth binding. Externally, very smart with minor wear to the extremities and the odd small mark to the cloth. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are very bright and clean with minor age toning to the endpapers. Light spotting to the endpapers of volumes II, III, and IV. A small cut to the front free endpaper of volume one resulting in minor loss. Very Good Indeed.…