民间之图像 / Min jian zhi tu xiang/ Les images populaires chinoises

A$12,500 · Offered by Douglas Stewart Fine Books

Pékin : Nachbaur, 1926. First edition. Folio (530 mm tall), printed wrappers (the silk binding perished, light foxing and edge wear), 8 preliminary leaves (Preface); 8 printed leaves (titled Le Nouvel An); 34 colour woodblock prints printed on fragile rice paper (some folding, some with diecut decoration) which are either tipped-in or loosely inserted between the folios (it appears a couple are missing), 7 architectural diagrams indicating the placement of 18 printed red and black banners which are loosely enclosed, substantially complete but probably missing a couple of prints. Housed in a modern folding clamshell box replicating the original binding. Printed in an edition of 200 copies plus 20 hors d commerce. Rare. A rare and fragile work which explains the use of woodblock prints for household decorations throughout the year. Nachbaur (1879-1933) was born into a family of French architects and decorators. He fled to China after World War I, where he became bookseller, journalist and created his own book house the Editions Albert Nachbaur and published many books about China. Although he associated with officials (ministers and European ambassadors), he was very interested in Chinese popular customs and traditions (Western Travellers in China).

• Binding: Hardcover

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