DRESS & MANNERS of CHINESE: 48 COLOR PLATES/CHINA/1814

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DRESS & MANNERS of CHINESE: 48 COLOR PLATES/CHINA/1814 PICTURESQUE REPRESENTATIONS by W.ALEXANDER/ $1000-$2000 PICTURESQUE REPRESENTATIONS OF THE DRESS AND MANNERS OF THE CHINESE. ILLUSTRATED IN FIFTY COLOURED ENGRAVINGS, WITH DESCRIPTIONS. BY WILLIAM ALEXANDER. London: John Murray, 1814. First Edition. Very Rare. A handsome First Edition book showcasing the colorful and exotic clothing and contexts of the people of China. William Alexander [1767–1816] was a well-known English painter and engraver who was cosen to accompany the Earl of MacCartney on a diplomatic mission to China. During his time in China, Alexander met many Chinese from all walks of life, and he painted beautiful color pictures of everyone from mandarins to mendicants, with rich depictions of the peoples context and activities. Alexander provided the engraved plates that originally accompanied Sir George Stanton's account of that expedition, which was published in 1797. Alexander's pictures are especially rich and detailed, and they offer great ethnographic details as well as offering historical documentation of the peoples met by the English. Each illustrated is charming and detailed and they are all handcolored; they are printed on only one side of each page and are in excellent condition. Unfortunately #13 plate and page and #48 plate are lacking from this book; I don't know if this was a printer's or binder's error or if they were somehow removed, but I don't see any evidence of removal. All of the 48 plates are beautiful and complete and undamaged and each one is suitable for framing as attractive and fascinating works of art. The book is otherwise solid and complete and in excellent condition, without writing or markings, with original endpapers and an early owner signature, and the oriignal leather book with marbled-paper covers. Alexander first published "The Costume of China in 48 Coloured Engravings" in 1805. That book is now very rare and sought-after, as t are only 3 copies listed for sale on the internet, worldwide, priced $2200, $5600 and $6200. Alexander became a Keeper of Antinquities in the British Museum in 1810, and in 1814 he published this book, with new and different illustrations, each carefully handcolored and he wrote the text to accompany each plate. This First Edition book is exceedingly rare, as t are no other copies listed for sale on the internet, worldwide at any price; tfore it is now virtually inobtainable. This book should tfore be worth thousands of dollars. Published nearly 200 years ago, another First Edition copy of this book is not likely to come up for sale again on ebay. Such a nice copy is not likely to come up for sale again soon on ebay. Plates include: The Title. A Sand of Arms; Kien Lung, the Emperor; Fishermen; Man Servant; Mandarin in his Court Dress; Young Bonze sacrificing; Juggler; Children collecting Manure; Watchman; Lady and her son; Bonze; Lantern Seller; Porter carrying Goods; Mandarin in his Common Dress; Boat Girl; A common Sedan, or Chair; Mandarin's Servant on Horseback; An itinerant Musician; Ensign of the Bowmen; Mendicant; Barbers champooing, &c.; Bookseller; Soldier of Infantry; A Raree Show; Mandarin's Page; A travelling Smith; Mourners at a Tomb; Vender of Rice; Female Comedian; Sedan Bearer; A man selling Betel, &c.; A Horse and Cart with the Driver; Seller of Pipes; Waterman; Tradesman reckoning on his Swanpan; Women winding cotton; Soldier of the Cavalry mounted; Punishment of the Cangue; Groupe of Children; Chairman with a Sedan; Vessels near a Town; A Lady of Rank; Nursery maid and Children; Stage Player; Trackers regaling; Mandarin's Officer; Woman selling Chow-chow; Groupe of Soldiers.From the text of PLATE XV. A MANDARIN: "In His Common Dress. The official habits in which all the mandarins are compelled to appear in public being made of the thickest silk, are exceedingly cumbersome, and not well adapted for the summer months, which are excessively hot even in the most northerly provinces; they tfore in private take e... read more

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