Nine vols. 8vo, orig. wrappers, orig. stitching. [China]: Xiao shuang ji an, 1925-27.

First edition of the final and best edition of “the most important dictionary of dates in the Chinese language” (Hummel). Qian Daxin (1728–1804), arguably the most distinguished scholar of the Qing Dynasty, “took special interest in recording the dates of birth and death of historical figures. The result was the well-known Yinian lu (Record of Uncertain Dates), which became the basis of the most important dictionary of dates in the Chinese language. This work, in four juan, which recorded dates of birth and death of some 364... More