MORSE, Edward S.

Inquire · Offered by Peter Harrington

Glimpses of China and Chinese Homes. First edition, presentation copy, with the author's lengthy inscription and a drawing of a fish on the front free endpaper. The recipient is likely John Robinson (1846-1925), the keeper of the marine room at the Peabody Essex Museum, where the author was appointed director in 1880. Robinson is thanked for his suggestions at the conclusion of the preface.A zoologist by training, Morse travelled several times to East Asia to conduct scientific and cultural research. During these visits, Robinson acted as director in his stead. Morse's inscription comments that "you have my textbook Japanese Homes and Japanese Poetry, and here is the China book to put alongside them." He apologizes that he could not incorporate some of the recipient's suggestions into the final text.The chapters are based on articles published in the American Architect. Tipped to the front pastedown is a copy of the publisher's advertising flyer, stamped 24 July 1903 in ink.

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