Narrative of the Earl of Elgin's Mission to China and Japan in the Years 1857, '58, '59.
Edinburgh and London. William Blackwood and Sons. 1859. Stock ID #224676 First edition account of a pivotal British diplomatic expedition. Laurence Oliphant (1829-1888) was private secretary to Lord Elgin at this time and his very readable narrative provides a first-hand record of the 19th-century diplomatic and military efforts that forced open trade in East Asia, including, for example, an account of the bombardment of Canton during the Second Opium War. During this journey, they secured the Treaty of Tientsin in China and the Anglo-Japanese Treaty of Amity and Commerce. The text is highly significant for documenting this critical era of Western imperialism. When referring to this item please quote stockid 224676.
Two volumes. Volume I: Two folding maps, the large folding map of China coloured in outline (sealed fold tear with tape on the verso), five coloured lithographs ("Japanese Funeral" supplied in facsimile), text wood engravings, xiii + 492pp + 16pp (publisher's adverts). Rebacked mounting the original spine, with the endpapers renewed. Volume II: Three folding maps, fifteen coloured lithographs ("Temple of Supreme Felicity" supplied in facsimile), text wood engravings, xi + 496pp. A few gatherings loose but holding, one leaf neatly tipped in. Both volumes: 23 x 15cm. Original embossed cloth boards, gilt decorated and gilt lettered on the spines. Pencilled marginalia and underlining, bindings scuffed and worn, the spines darkened, with the (cancelled) library stamps of the Church Missionary Society to the preliminaries. A good set.
Price: $650.00 AU