The Four Books; or, the Chinese Classics in English :

A$7,000 · Offered by Douglas Stewart Fine Books

for the use of those who wish to learn to translate English, and those gentlemen who wish to read the words spoken by the Chinese sages. Compiled from the best previous works, and arranged precisely, according to the pages of the Chinese text, by a Chinese compiler. In six volumes. Ho-nan : Printed at a Private Press, 1871 [but 1872]. Six volumes in two, duodecimo (140 x 105 mm), slightly later uniform bindings of half black calf double-ruled in gilt over green watered silk (only lightly rubbed), spines with raised bands in gilt and with red leather title-pieces stamped in gilt; marbled edges; marbled endpapers, front pastedowns with armorial ex libris of William F. Ross, with his motto Think on ; original printed yellow upper wrappers bound in; pp. [4], [1]-50, [4], [51]-108, [4], [109]-181, [1 errata] ; [6], [1]-104, [6], 105-171, [blank], [6], 171-176, [two pages 181/176 bound in error], 177-181, [two pages 176/181 bound in error], 182-242; text in English; last 4 leaves with marginal tear partially restored, otherwise very good throughout. A rare Chinese forgery printed with movable wooden type. The Four Books (四書; Sìshū) are Chinese classical texts fundamental to the philosophy of Confucianism. They were selected by the scholar Zhu Xi in the Song dynasty to act as an introduction to Confucian thought. Much later, in the Ming and Qing periods, they became the core of the official curriculum for the civil service examinations. The Four Books comprise the Analects of Confuc

• Printing: later
• Binding: Hardcover

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