China and Japan; A Record of Observations..

Cincinnati: Walden and Stowe, 1879. First Edition. Hardcover. Near fine. Duodecimo size, 548 pp. The Reverend Isaac William Wiley (1825-1884) trained as a doctor, became a medical missionary and, in 1850, sailed for China.

This volume is "A Record of Observations made during a resident of several years in China, and a tour of official vistation to the missions of both countries in 1877-78" (per the title page). However one may feel about missionaries working in the East, the volume provides an interesting glimpse into the lives of those the author encountered, embellished with sixty illustrations (including the frontis) of people and places.

Uncommon in the online marketplace, as of this writing we see only four copies online, of various condition.

___DESCRIPTION: Bound in full mustard-coloured cloth over boards, the upper cover and spine heavily decorated in true Victorian style in black and gilt with a gilt dragon on the upper board, patterned endpapers, tissue-guarded frontis a "View from the Forbidden City, Peking", title page in black and red with a decorative red border, each chapter with an elaborate chapter headpiece and rubricated initial with a small chapter tailpiece, the illustrations bound in throughout; duodecimo size (7 1/8" by 5"), pagination: [1-4] 5-548.

___CONDITION: Near fine overall, the lettering and decorations on the upper board and spine bright, the corners not rubbed, a strong, square text block with solid hinges, the interior is clean, and entirely free of prior owner markings; a few light spots on the upper board and a discoloured area (a few inches long by about a quarter-inch wide) on the lower board, the bottom front corner bumped, the paper uniformly toned.

___POSTAGE: International customers, please note that additional postage may apply as the standard does not always cover costs; please inquire for details.

___Swan's Fine Books is pleased to be a member of the ABAA, ILAB, and IOBA and we stand behind every book we sell. Please contact us with any questions you may have, we are here to help.