A Narrative of an Exploratory Visit to Each of the Consular Cities of China, and to the Islands of Hong Kong and Chusan, in Behalf of the Church Missionary Society, in the Years 1844, 1845, 1846, I-II. [TWO VOLUMES. FIRST AMERICAN EDITION IN THE ORIGINAL INSTALLMENTS].

Two volumes. Crown quarto. Paginated consecutively. Pp. xvi, 3-240; 241-467. Plus a folding map engraved on steel, engraved frontispiece and 11 other plates. Title-page printed in red and black. Uniformly in the original illustrated wrappers, these edge worn and chipped, back wrapper of one volume loose, some dog-eared corners. Both volumes placed in a handsome custom made box, full green cloth over boards, facsimile title-page laid-down on cover. An unsophisticated set, untrimmed, preserved entirely in the original state, bright interiors, thoroughly free of foxing. ~ First American edition in the extremely rare original, two paperbound installments. Sold separately, each volume's cover bears the header: "50 Cents. Complete in Two Parts"; and "Part 1" and "Part 2", respectively. A pioneering work by the Anglican missionary George Smith (1815-1871) who, after the Treaty of Nanking, explored the newly opened cities of China, recording his findings and observations. The work is particularly appealing for its description and portrayal of everyday life in nineteenth-century China and the impact of the new British Rule. It includes an account of Hong Kong. Cordier BS, 2115; Lust, 385. Of utmost rarity, not a single other such copy could be traced for many years. TIMO-5 OUT.…