Chinese Characters: Their Origin, Etymology, History, Classification and Signification. A thorough study from Chinese documents. Translated into English by L. Davrout.

WIEGER, L.

Published by Ho-kien-fu: Catholic Mission Press, 1915

About this Item

First edition, first printing, a scarce complete set of this valuable reference, including information on the older forms of Chinese characters, an incisive introductory sketch, and a 500-page lexicon. Leon Wieger (1856-1933) joined the Jesuit order in 1881 and was posted to China in 1887, remaining there for the next 50 years. "His study of the language convinced him of the need to publish systematic works on Chinese culture. In addition to a considerable number of homiletic and catechetical books for missionaries to preach in Chinese languages (including the Hejianfu dialect), he wrote a ten-volume history of modern China and works on Chinese language and customs. Many appeared in several editions; some were also translated from French into English and are still in use today. For his outstanding contributions to sinology the Academie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres in Paris three times awarded him the Stanislas Julien Prize" (Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Christianity). Two vols, octavo. Chinese characters in text. Original brown cloth, spines lettered in gilt, front boards ruled in blind, top edge reddish brown. Light shelfwear, gilt tarnished, top edges dusty, light and even toning internally: a near-fine set.

Seller Inventory # 178486

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Chinese Characters: Their Origin, Etymology, History, Classification and Signification. A thorough study from Chinese documents. Translated into English by L. Davrout.
• Publisher: Ho-kien-fu: Catholic Mission Press, 1915
• Edition: 1st Edition