The Chinese Classics: with a Translation, Critical and Exegetical Notes, Prolegomena and Copious Indexes. Complete Set of 5 Books in 8 Volumes, Original First Edition, by James Legge, Published 1861-1872. Together with Autograph Inscription in Chinese, Last Chapter of Lao Tze's Tao Teh Ching, Translated and Signed by James Legge as Professor of English at Oxford. COMPLETE SET, TRUE ORIGINAL FIRST Edition

TRUE ORIGINAL FIRST edition, all volumes DATED on title pages. Large octavo, (Vol I-Vol III) 25*17.3cm, (Vol IV-V) 26.1*18cm, Wt: 10.3kg. Complete set, 5 volumes in 8 books, all true first editions. Vol I, II and III in half-leather bindings, covers rubbed with general wear. Vol IV and V in near fine cloth binding with gilt motif to upper board, some pages still unopened. Extremely scarce. Together with Autograph Inscription in Chinese, the last chapter of Lao Tzu's Tao Teh Ching, translated and signed by James Legge as Professor of Chinese at Oxford in March, 1879. The inscription (size: 17.7*11.2cm) is laid on a leaf (size: 28.2*23.1cm) taken from an album compiled by Leone Levi (1821-1888). On back of the said leaf are 3 handwritten inscriptions signed by James Hamilton, David Blyth, and John Thomson. Vol I. Hongkong: At the Author's/London: Trubner & Co., 1861, xiv+136pp+376pp. Vol II. Hongkong: At the Author's/London: Trubner & Co., 1861, viii+126pp+497pp. Vol III. Part I., Hongkong: At the Author's/London: Trubner & Co., 1865, xii+208pp+1-280p. Vol III. Part II., Hongkong: At the Author's/London: Trubner & Co., 1865, iv+281-735p. Vol IV. Part I., Hongkong: Lane, Crawford & Co./London: Trubner & Co., 1871, xii+182pp+1-244p. Vol IV. Part II., Hongkong: Lane, Crawford & Co./London: Trubner & Co., 1871, 245-785p. Vol V. Part I., Hongkong: Lane, Crawford & Co./London: Trubner & Co., 1872, xii+148pp+1-410p. Vol V. Part II., Hongkong: Lane, Crawford & Co./London: Trubner & Co., 1872, iv+411-933p. Legge originally planned his "Chinese Classics" as SEVEN VOLUMES, but his translations of Yi King and Li Ki (and several others) were instead included, years later, in the Sacred Books of the East series edited by Max Muller (Oxford: Clarendon Press). More photos available upon request. …