A grammar of the Chinese language. (John Francis Davis’ copy)

A$16,500 · Offered by Douglas Stewart Fine Books

Limited edition

Serampore : Printed at the Mission Press, 1815. Quarto (275 x 215 mm), half calf over marbled papered boards, spine in compartments with contrasting morocco title labels lettered in gilt; marbled edges; title with ownership signature of J. F. Davis ; pp vi, [2], 280; text in English and Chinese characters; occasional marginal damp staining with minor restoration to a few leaves (not affecting text), otherwise a very good copy. A landmark work in the history of missionary activity in China. This unique copy has a highly significant association, having originally belonged to diplomat and sinologist (later Sir) John Francis Davis (1795-1890). Davis was appointed writer at the East India Company s factory in Canton (Guangzhou) in 1813, completed a translation of The Three Dedicated Rooms ( San-Yu-Low ) in 1815, accompanied Lord Amherst on his embassy to Peking in 1816, and would later in life serve as the second Governor of Hong Kong, 1844-48. First edition of this important work. Robert Morrison (1732-1834), missionary and translator, was a prolific writer in both Chinese and English. The first Protestant Missionary to China, he arrived in Canton in 1807. There he became translator to the East India Company, and pursued his work on the Chinese language. His monumental Chinese dictionary was published in three parts from 1815-23. This dictionary is his best known work today. His lesser-known Grammar was intended to help Westerners with the basics of Chinese. Published slightly be

• Binding: Hardcover

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