2v 1903 CHINESE Colloquial GRAMMAR Language STUDIES Asian LEXICOGRAPHY Antique

Pricing & History

Sold for
Start Free Trial or Sign In to see what it's worth.
Sold Date
Source eBay

YU YEN TZU ERH CHI; A PROGRESSIVE COURSE DESIGNED TO ASSIST THE STUDENT OF COLLOQUIAL CHINESE As Spoken in the Capital and the Metropolitan Department. In Two Volumes.Wade, Thomas Francis; Hillier, Walter Caine. Shanghai/Yokohama/Hong Kong/Singapore: Kelly and Walsh, Limited, 1903. 3rd Edition; Abridged. In Two Volumes, Both present; Complete Set.Rare complete folio set of Colloquial Chinese reference lexicography for the student, consisting of various exercises in vocabulary, phonetics, grammar, word use and definitions, with meanings, tables, diagrams and translations in both English and Chinese. This is the third edition, abridged, complete in two volumes. Bound in black hardcovers with gilt titles in Chinese and English on both front boards and the spines, as shown. Light external wear, in great shape with hinges intact and clean text, nicely kept inside and out. Unmarked lest for single small signature to top corner of front EP, Vol I only, of D Z Sheffield, noted Chinese teacher, Chinese type writer inventor, and curiously, ex-Union Army in the American Civil War. See more below. Each measures 12.5" x 9.75". D. Z. Sheffield ~ 1913d. 1913Sheffield took part in the American Civil War and belonged to the northern (Union) side. After the war, he went to seminary and graduated in 1867. He was sent by the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (ABCFM) to China and arrived in the north of Tungchow in 1867. Sheffield mastered the Chinese language so well that he could preach fluently in Chinese within a few years. He acted as a translator for John R. Mott whenever he came to China for visits. He was later put in charge of the revision of the Bible in Mandarin and Wenli.When Sheffield arrived in northern Tungchow, there was a newly opened school, which he further developed into the famous Lu He Nan Shu (Lu He Boys' School). Many years later, the school developed into Lu He Shu Yuan (Lu He High School), North China Union College, and he saw these developments through in the capacity of principal.Sheffield was much more than an administrator and teacher in these schools. He also compiled textbooks on history, systematic theology, political economics, moral theology, psychology, political science, and other topics. These texts were adopted by other schools as well. In 1913 he went to Pei-Tai-ho for a rest, where he suffered his second stroke and passed away.A Chinese typewriter, 1899Writes Scientific American in 1899, "Some little time ago we referred to the various typewriters of the world, and stated that, up to the present time, no machine had ever been invented for use with the Chinese language. We are now informed, however, that the Rev. D.Z. Sheffield, of the American Board Mission, President of the T'ung-cho College, for Chinese students, has invented and perfected a remarkable typewriter, which bids fair to revolutionize the writing of Chinese, especially for foreigners, who have in most cases turned their whole attention to the speaking and reading of the language, and have avoided the great difficulty of learning to writ it."The periodical goes on to report "that Dr. Sheffield's machine saves a great amount of both time and labor," as the Chinese language is quite complex. Judging from the engravings, it doesn't look like a remarkable time saver, but perhaps Chinese really is that difficult.Robert Messenger offers an extensive history of Chinese-language typewriters here . I offer scans of Scientific American below. I also include the cover story on the Italian navy, from the periodical's "Navies of the World" series.larger size. read more

Items in the Price Guide are obtained exclusively from licensors and partners solely for our members’ research needs.

Flag item for content or copyright

If this item contains incorrect or inappropriate information please contact us here to flag it for review.

If you are the originator/copyright holder of this photo/item and would prefer it be excluded from our community, contact us here for removal.