1858 Illustrated Newspaper China Chinese Tea Drawings

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Please see photos. This is a complete,original, illustrated Ballou's Pictorial (Boston)newspaper dated February 6, 1858. This year is the 153rd anniversary of the publication of this issue. Front page image is entitled: "Frederic W. Lincoln, Mayor of Boston." Inside images depict : " General View of the City of Syracuse, New York," "View of Salina Street, Syracuse, New York," "Watering Tea," "Tea Picking," "Marking Tea," "Tea-picking," "Packing Tea," "Tea Carrier," "Tea Vender," "Picture Seller," "Ferryman," "Flower Peddler," "Chinese Conjuror," "Chinese Procession," (and accompanying article) "Mckean Buchanan, the American Tragedian," "The New Landing Stage at Liverpool, England," "A Siamese Bamboo Hut," "Royal Barge of the King of Siam." Although tea originates from China, Chinese tea generally represent tea leaves which have been processed using methods inherited from ancient China . According to popular legend, tea was discovered by Chinese Emperor Shennong in 2737 BCE when a leaf from a Camellia sinensis tree fell into water the emperor was boiling. Tea is deeply woven into the history and culture of China. The beverage is considered one of the seven necessities of Chinese life, along with firewood, rice, oil, salt, soy sauce and vinegar. The time of publication of this edition was an interesting time in the history of China. The Arrow War (1856–1860) [2nd Opium War] saw a disastrous defeat for China. The subsequent passing of the humiliating Treaty of Tianjin in 1856 and the Beijing Conventions of 1860 opened up more of the country to foreign penetrations and more ports for their vessels. Hong Kong was ceded over to the British. Thus, the "unequal treaties system" was established. Heavy indemnities had to be paid by China, and more territory and control were taken over by the foreigners. The weakening of the Qing regime, and the apparent humiliation of the unequal treaties in the eyes of the Chinese people had several consequences. One consequence was the Taiping Civil War , which lasted from 1851 to 1862. It was led by Hong Xiuquan , who was partly influenced by an idiosyncratic interpretation of Christianity. Hong believed himself to be the son of God and the younger brother of Jesus. Although the Qing forces were eventually victorious, the civil war was one of the bloodiest in human history, costing at least 20 million lives (more than the total number of fatalities in the World War I ), with some estimates of up to two hundred million. Other costly rebellions followed the Taiping Rebellion, such as the Punti-Hakka Clan Wars (1855–67), Nien Rebellion (1851–1868), Muslim Rebellion (1862–77), Panthay Rebellion (1856–1873) and the Miao Rebellion (1854–73). Newspaper is in fair condition; however, it is yellowed from age and has some staining visible in this listing's pictures . This listing includes the complete entire original illustrated newspaper from a bound volume, NOT just a clipping or a page of it. We have a no questions asked, money back guarantee. Every item sold is an original newspaper printed on the date indicated at the beginning of its description. U.S. buyers pay $9 priority mail postage which includes waterproof plastic and a heavy cardboard flat to protect your purchase from damage in the mail. We do combine postage (to reduce postage costs) for multiple purchases sent in the same package. We accept read more

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