[ANTIQUE PRINTS - TONKIN WAR] TAYLOR, RICHARD (ENGRAVER).

Chinese war preparations [and] A Chinese torpedo corps [caption titles]

London. The Illustrated London News. September 29, 1883. Stock ID #177554

Half-page engravings 17.5 x 23.3 cm and 14.5 x 23.3 cm on a single leaf from The Illustrated London News, 31.6 x 47.3 inner margin a little ragged, light toning, but in very good condition. With relevant descriptive text on the verso.

Engravings published in the lead up to the Sino French War (1884-5) following the occupation of Annam by the French. The text included on the verso gives full detail of the portrait engravings including the "only European of the party" an Englishmen, Mr J. A. Betts, Associate of the Institution of Civil Engineers, "chief engineer of the Torpedo Department" for the Chinese Government. In 1875 he had conducted a survey of the Min River planning a scheme of torpedo defence leading to the Foochow Arsenal, and in 1879 he was sent to Nankin to similarly plan such a defence. "...France and Europe must not forget that China of to-day is not the China of 1860".

From the estate of the late collector and scholar Arthur Hacker.

When referring to this item please quote stockid 177554.

Price: $75.00 AU

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