Woodblock-printed. 56 folding leaves. Two juan in one vol. Large 8vo (310 x 210 mm.), orig. yellow patterned semi-stiff wrappers, orig. stitching. [Yŏngch’ŏn]: 1854.

First edition of this collection, including the life and writings of Cho Sang-ch’i or Jo Sang-chi 曺尙治 (fl. 1419-55), a prominent official in the early Chosŏn period. From an early age, Cho studied “writings on human nature and principle” (sŏngni chi sŏ 性理之書) — that is, Neo-Confucianism. As one text on his life put it, he “took this [Confucian] culture of ours as his personal duty.” Cho’s life was tied up with the factional... More

Title within typographical border (shaved at foot). 2 p.l., 14 pp., one blank leaf. Small 4to, attractive antique panelled calf (some shaving to bottom line or catchwords on several pages), spine gilt, red morocco lettering piece on spine. London: Printed by J.C., 1651.

First edition. “The Reformed Husbandman…is sometimes attributed to Speed, although it was probably written by Cressy Dymock…It is a pamphlet of some 16 pages and full of moral reflections, a melodious exhortation to industry.”–Fussell, I, p. 45.

“The most visible impact of Hartlib’s circle lay in the numerous pamphlets that he published…They comprised letters and treatises solicited... More

74 leaves (including one folding leaf). 8vo, orig. printed wrappers, orig. stitching. Beijing: Hafo Yanjing xue she [Harvard Yenching University Library], January 1934.

First edition, Supplement No. 8 of the famous Harvard-Yenching Institute Sinological Index Series. “In Yenching University Library was found a manuscript, in eight fascicles, of a reference compilation of biographical notices of about eleven hundred painters under the Ch’ing dynasty. Internal evidence seemed to indicate that the unknown compiler worked during 1787-1795 by culling eight other compilations. Three of these do not appear in the usual bibliographies, and many of the painters they mentioned do not appear... More

Engraved vignette on each title (three different vignettes), 37 folding engraved plates, & numerous printed folding tables. 13 vols. 8vo, cont. half-calf & paste-paper boards (light foxing & dampstaining here & there), final six spines decorated in gilt with red & green leather lettering pieces on spines. Dresden: Walther, 1785-99.

A complete run of the oldest German periodical concerned with mining, mineralogy, geology, and metallurgy; it was one of the leading journals of its kind and the chief mouthpiece for the teachings of A.G. Werner. The articles contain descriptions of the latest developments in mining machinery, local geologies and mineralogies... More

Large poster catalogue (445 x 572 mm.) of Ruscha’s first 10 artist’s books, vertical & horizontal folds, ms. prices added in blue ink. Los Angeles: Heavy Industry Publications, [ca. 1970].

Rare catalogue, in poster format, of Ruscha’s photographic artist’s books; WorldCat records just the copy at the RKD in The Hague, although we know of several copies in American institutions. Most examples that we have seen are cut into two horizontal rows, the present is intact as it was originally printed. This copy seems to have been sent to Europe because some of the books have had their prices updated... More

34; 91; 27 folding leaves. Three vols. 8vo, orig. wrappers, orig. stitching. [China]: Xu Zheng xue lu, 1897.

First edition of this so-called “collectanea” (congshu 叢書) of texts related to China’s historical interaction with Central and Inner Asia. The Manchu-led Qing empire always had intimate connections to Inner Asia, but century Chinese scholars and officials became more directly involved in the administration of and research on these regions in the 19th century. As China was being directly impacted by power-struggles among the Western powers in their immediate vicinity, such as the Anglo-Russo rivalry of the Great Game, interest... More

32 vols. 8vo, orig. wrappers, orig. title labels on upper covers, orig. stitching. Shanghai: Hanfen lou 涵芬樓; distributed by Shangwu yinshuguan, 1941.

First edition of this important selection of previously largely unknown Yuan and Ming plays.

In 1938, China and Japan were at war; the Chinese-controlled parts of Shanghai had fallen, and the front was moving eastward. When Changshu in Jiangsu was attacked by the Japanese, local bibliophile Ding Zuyin 丁祖蔭 lost his book collection. It resurfaced in neighboring Shanghai, where the foreign concessions were still free from Japanese occupation. Zhang Yuanji 張元濟 (1867-1959) of the Commercial Press... More

35 vols. Large 8vo, orig. wrappers (slightly browned throughout), old stitching (stitching partially loose). [China]: Bao qing jing lun tang, ca. 1810-50.

A collectanea of ten of the books whose authors Chinese bibliographers later classified as “masters” or “philosophers” (zi). The books date from Chinese antiquity to the middle period and some are very well known, others less so. The collection comprises:

—The Daoist works Laozi (Lao-tzu), Zhuangzi, the more problematic — partially hedonist, possibly partially forged or corrupted — Liezi, and the much lesser known Heguanzi (the “pheasant cap master”);

— Xunzi, by the iconoclastic Confucian, notorious for his... More

12 folding leaves. 8vo, orig. patterned wrappers, orig. block-printed title label on upper cover, new stitching. Tokyo: Shosanodo shoten, 1909.

First edition of the catalogue of a part of the library of the famous Shoheizaka Gakumonjo school, which was located in what is today Ueno Park. The school had its origins as a private Confucian temple, constructed by Razan Hayashi (1583-1657), but was turned into a state-run school under the direct control of the bakufu in 1797, following the Kansei Edict. The school, an official academy of the Tokugawa shogunate, produced many outstanding leaders.

The catalogue describes 64 titles printed... More

Some full-page woodcut illus. of scenes from the plays. 48 vols. Small 8vo, orig. wrappers, orig. title-labels on upper covers, orig. stitching. Shanghai: Shang wu yin shu guan, 1918.

Lithographic reprint of the 1615-16 first edition. “Yuanquxuan is a collection of the greatest part of surviving Yuan-period (1279-1368) theatre plays. It includes 100 plays and is therefore also called Yuanren baizhong qu ‘One Hundred theatre plays by authors of the Yuan period’…

“The collection Yuanquxuan was compiled during the Ming period (1368-1644) by Zang Maoxun (1550-1620)…who hailed from Changxing, Zhejiang. He belonged to the so-called four masters (sizi), famous writers... More