Elgin Oliphant (3 results)

Condition: New. 2006 reprint by Rediscovery Books SBPublished Price £38 Lord Elgin was an experienced British statesman and diplomat sent to the Far East from 1857-59 in a successful attempt to assert British power after China had seized the British vessel âArrowâ. Elgin occupied the southern Chinese city of Canton and forced a treaty favourable to British interests on China before withdrawing. Elgin moved on to Japan where he negotiated a further treaty opening up the secretive and long secluded island state to European trade. On returning to Britain and learning that the Chinese Emperor had refused to ratify his treaty, Elgin was despatched to China once again, marched on Peking where he burned the Imperial summer palace in reprisal for the Emperorâs recalcitrance. China finally submitted and ratified the treaty. This full, two volume account of Elginâs expeditions is written by Elginâs personal secretary and is remarkable for its observations of the two strongest states in eastern Asia which were to have such a massive impact on subsequent history. Oliphant is lavish in his praise of Japan in contrast to what he views as the oriental obstinacy and untrustworthiness of China. Lavishly illustrated with colour plates, this is a must for anyone interested in China and Japan and the history of the British Empire.

2 volumes, hard covers, xiii-492 pp. (Tome I), 496 pp., with many black and white illustrations and folding map, a very good copy of this reprint. Heavy book, extra-postage required. Please get information first.

Couverture rigide. Condition: Très bon. 2 volumes in-8 de VII-447 et 453 pp., reliure demi-veau blond à coins, dos à nerfs ornés de fers dorés, pièces de titre et de tomaison. Témoignage sur la seconde guerre de l'opium. En appendice, le traité de de Tientsin, la correspondance relative à la résidence d'un ministre à Pékin, le traité de Yédo. Rares rousseurs sans gravité. Bel exemplaire.