Weihaiwei (1 results)

First editions of these informative summaries, including the last report issued before the return of Weihaiwei to Chinese sovereignty on 1 October 1930. This type of material is generally encountered in commerce only when deaccessioned from institutions. Each report provides commentary and data on local commercial and political developments, including increasing levels of banditry and anti-foreign feeling. After the First World War, Chinese anti-imperialist movements hardened the argument, made by many British diplomats, that giving up Weihaiwei and other concessions would leave Britain free to focus on Hong Kong. For the last commissioner, Sir Reginald Johnston, Britain's three-decade presence was a job well done: "The two main sources of gratification to those British officials who have had the pleasure of serving in Weihaiwei will be, firstly, the memory of the happy and cordial relations that have existed between the British community. and the Chinese population; and, secondly, the knowledge that during those long years of strife and chaos which brought unutterable misery to the people of Shantung and other parts of China, the people of Weihaiwei. enjoyed uninterrupted tranquility and prosperity under the protection of the British flag" (1929 report, p. 22). The printer's slugs on the reports for 1927-9 put the print runs for each at 625 copies. 7 works bound in 1, octavo (240 x 155 mm). Tables in text. Mid-century blue buckram, spine lettered in gilt, edges sprinkled red, original wrappers for 1927-9 reports bound in. Ex-City of Leeds Library of Commerce, Science and Technology, with its bookplate, various blind and ink stamps, manuscript pressmarks, and blank borrowing log tipped to final bound-in wrapper and rear pastedown. Last 3 reports with vertical creasing where folded before binding; a very good copy, the ex-library components notwithstanding.