The Braves and the Fair Men of Letters and Women of Fame of Old China circa 1900

£75.00

LOT NUMBER 49

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LOT NUMBER 49

The Braves and the Fair Men of Letters and Women of Fame of Old China circa 1900

This is an accordion page book, perhaps intended as an imitation of a scroll painting, containing texts and illustrations of ten characters of fame and repute from Chinese history. The title page reads "The Braves and the Fair Men of Letters and Women of Fame of Old China" but there is no author stated and the book is undated, although similar examples are usually ascribed to the late Victorian period which would seem to be consistent with the style of printing and the type of paper found here.

Each of the ten characters are described in a double page spread, the right hand containing texts in both Chinese and English and the left hand with hand coloured illustrations on silk , delicately rendered. The book 'works' from right to left and the reverses of the pages are left blank. At each end are fabric covered boards, the front board with a pasted paper inscription in Chinese with a small red seal mark. Other examples are finished with boards in wood, but these are, perhaps, not original or a more deluxe version of the volume.

The illustrations are in excellent condition with the colours still bright. The yellow finish to the paper is original and perhaps intended to give an 'antique' effect. Each of the end boards are very slightly scuffed at the borders. The pages, including the title page and the two end papers, suffer from varying degrees of 'worm hole' perforation. There are also various tears. A selection of illustrations can be seen above and further images (and a more detailed condition report) are, of course, available on request. But these condition issues should not necessarily detract from the charm of the item which is an Englishman's attempt to capture some of the folk lore of China, a land which attracted such popular interest during the Victorian period.

Size: 20.5cm x 14.5cm x 1.2cm (closed); length when open and fully extended 338cm
Weight: 212gm
Date: 1900
Condition: Fair vintage condition (see condition report above and images)
Price: £75

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