About this Item
Here is "The Magic Scroll" by Ho Yuen Yee, which was published by the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong in 1953. This is the First Edition, so identified on the page opposite the title page. At the foot of the page with the date is a statement to the effect that the book was "Registered in accordance with Ordinance No. 2 of 1888". This was an ordinance dealing with the production of books and the authority behind such production. The book is nicely illustrated with several full page drawings by the author. The pictures are well-done, and gracefully accompany the story. There is one lone color illustration. It is not stated whether the book was originally written in Chinese or English. If it was translated, no credit was given to the translator. Possibly Ho Yuen Yee, himself, transcribed an old Chinese tale. Ho Yuen Yee may be a pseudonym - I don't know.
The story is a classic Chinese folk tale of an ordinary person (who desires to write great poetry) coming into contact with magic beings - immortals, magnificent white stallions, and a protective sky dragon - the Guardian of the Sky. There are other Guardians, and the hero, Chan Ming, experiences a number of adventures and meetings with magic beings who give him advice and guide him further on his heroic quest. Will he properly make use of the magic scroll and will he be allowed to enter the pantheon of great poets?
I have , myself, searched diligently as far as I was able, and could find no other copies of this book, or even a record or it - nor was I able to find a record of the author. Maybe such exists somewhere in Hong Kong - or possibly not - but what we are offering seems to be the only copy on line . and the book seems to be truly what is known in the trade as a Ghost Book. It is quite rare (unless there is an unknown cache somewhere in China).
TITLE : The Magic Scroll
AUTHOR : Ho Yuen Yee
IMPRINT : South China Morning Post
PLACE : Hong Kong
DATE : 1953
EDITION : First Edition (So stated)
STATUS - Rare
DETAILS : Slim hardcover children's book; has 10 line illustrations, including one in color which is printed on calendered paper; has a pictorial title page; 53 pages; approximately 5 1/2" x 8 1/2", quarter bound with illustrated white , paper-covered boards and red, cloth-covered spine, stapled and glued. No lettering on spine. On the front cover is a young man reading a scroll , behind which there is a Sky Dragon which seems to be frolicking whilst breathing out a gust of smoke and a pearl. the picture is done in red and blue. The title is laid over in black. The font of the text is fairly large.
CONDITION -- GOOD PLUS -- This is a previously owned book that remains a bit worn, but basically clean and serviceable, with the following particulars noted ::
EXTERIOR -- Spine is somewhat rumpled (which may be a production effect); considerable weathering which exhibits in the form of foxing , spotting and toning; the board edges display wear; the board tips are eroded, exposing the underlying material - else displays adequately.
BINDING -- Solid
INTERIOR -- End-papers are considerably toned and the staples have left indelible marks on the end-papers; the rest of the interior is clean and free of marking. Paper is only slightly toned.
Seller Inventory # 2148
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