HONG KONG.

Inquire · Offered by Peter Harrington

Honkon annai ("Hong Kong Information"). First edition, first printing, of this exceptionally scarce Japanese-language guide to Hong Kong, with plates showing views of the harbour, city centre, and Peak Tram. WorldCat records just a single copy at the Bukkyo University Library.This guide was published by a Japanese newspaper founded in the territory in 1909. It includes adverts for banks, beers, shipping lines, and trading companies, as well as a full list of important businesses and amenities enumerated in Japanese and English. Sections deal with climate, population, diplomatic buildings, business opportunities, and the usual useful information needed by travellers. A final page lists the travelling time and distance between Hong Kong and major Chinese and international ports including Macao, Shanghai, Singapore, and London.A second, expanded edition was published in 1928; today, this is equally rare.

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