Basilio Gemona (3 results)

Large folio (300 x 460 mm). (6), LVI, 1112, (2) pp. Contemporary half calf over marbled boards with giltstamped title to spine. First edition of this rare and monumental work which marked the beginnings of Sinology in France. A dictionary without parallel, it was composed between 1694 and 1699 by Basilio de Gemona (1648-1704), a Franciscan missionary in China, and originally circulated in handwritten form. The technical complexity of printing such a work delayed publication for a long time: the necessary Chinese characters were engraved in wood under the direction of Etienne Fourmont between 1715 and 1742; known as the "buis du roi", they were placed in the Royal Library in 1745. It was not until 1802 that they reached the French Imperial Printing Office. In 1808 a new attempt at publication was entrusted to Chrétien Louis Joseph de Guignes, the former French consul in China. - With early vellum thumb tabs bearing Chinese characters in ink handwriting. In excellent condition. - Cordier, BS III, 1589. Zaunmüller 42. Vater/Jülg 67. OCLC 3739604.…

Hardcover. Condition: Good. 1st Edition. 2 Volumes. folio. pp. 3 p.l., lvi, 1112, [2]errata; x, 168. with half-titles. 19th century half calf (extremities worn, front joint cracked, several library stamps, else internally very good), Supplement uncut in modern cloth with original wrs. bound in (several library stamps, else internally very good). First Edition of this monumental work, the first printed dictionary from Chinese into a Western language. It was commissioned in 1809 by Napoleon I, who entrusted the task of preparing the work to French merchant-trader, ambassador and sinologist Chrétien Louis Joseph de Guignes. De Guignes had spent seventeen years from 1784 to 1801 in China where he travelled extensively and served for a time as ambassador to Canton. From 1794-95 he acted as interpreter to Isaac Titsingh, the Dutch ambassador to the court of the Emperor Quianlong in Peking, where they witnessed the celebration of the sixtieth anniversary of the Emperor's reign. Shortly after publication it became known that the dictionary had actually been compiled by the Italian Franciscan friar, Basilio Brollo de Gemona sometime during his years as a missionary to China from 1684 to 1704, and had circulated in manuscript after his death. The Chinese characters that were eventually used in the 1813 dictionary had been engraved on wood under the supervision of French orientalist, Étienne Fourmont, between 1715 and 1742. These 'Bois du Régent', actually fashioned from pear wood, were originally intended to be used for a number of projected publications. "Brollo's innovation was to provide a Chinese character dictionary alphabetically collated by transliteration, with a user-friendly index arranged by radicals and strokes, successfully combining Chinese and European lexicographic traditions. This lexicographical macrostructure was adopted in Morrison's [Chinese-English] dictionary, and most bilingual Chinese dictionaries up to the present day." (Yang Huiling (2014). 'The Making of the First Chinese-English Dictionary: Robert Morrison s Dictionary of the Chinese Language in Three Parts , 1815-1823). The dictionary is offered here with the scarce supplement prepared by German orientalist and explorer Heinrich Julius Klaproth. Brunet II 568. Cordier III 1589-90. Graesse III 180. Lust 1037 & 1048.…

Leather Bound. Condition: New. Presenting an Exquisite Leather-Bound Edition, expertly crafted with Original Natural Leather that gracefully adorns the spine and corners. The allure continues with Golden Leaf Printing that adds a touch of elegance, while Hand Embossing on the rounded spine lends an artistic flair. This masterpiece has been meticulously reprinted in 2025, utilizing the invaluable guidance of the original edition published many years ago in 1651-1750. The contents of this book are presented in classic black and white. Its durability is ensured through a meticulous sewing binding technique, enhancing its longevity. Imprinted on top-tier quality paper. A team of professionals has expertly processed each page, delicately preserving its content without alteration. Due to the vintage nature of these books, every page has been manually restored for legibility. However, in certain instances, occasional blurriness, missing segments, or faint black spots might persist. We sincerely hope for your understanding of the challenges we faced with these books. Recognizing their significance for readers seeking insight into our historical treasure, we've diligently restored and reissued them. Our intention is to offer this valuable resource once again. We eagerly await your feedback, hoping that you'll find it appealing and will generously share your thoughts and recommendations. Pages:- 182, Print on Demand. If it is a multi-volume set, then it is only a single volume. We are specialised in Customisation of books, if you wish to opt different color leather binding, you may contact us. This service is chargeable. Product Disclaimer: Kindly be informed that, owing to the inherent nature of leather as a natural material, minor discolorations or textural variations may be perceptible. Explore the FOLIO EDITION (12x19 Inches): Available Upon Request. 182 182.…