Description:

(CHINA) FIRST DICTIONARY OF THE CANTONESE DIALECT, PRESENTED BY A NOTORIOUS OPIUM DEALER
Rare signed book: "Vocabulary of the Canton Dialect" by Robert Morrison (Macao, China: Honorable East India Company's Press, by G.J. Steyn), 1828. Three in one volumes: Part 1: English and Chinese ; Part 2: Chinese and English ; Part 3: Chinese words and phrases. With bookplate of Henry Leonard, Boxer War Medal of Honor winner who later became a diplomat in China. Original owner's inscription in pen on title page. This effort was the first Western attempt to compile a glossary for a Chinese dialect, and its publication was sponsored by the East India Company at a time when the opium trade was in full swing. Of note is a section on "Wicked Banditti". The volume bears a presentation inscription which we believe was penned by the notorious Scottish opium trader JAMES INNES. The title pages bears an inscription at top: "To Capt. Innes H.C.S. from James Inn[es]". The balance of the signature was cropped when the right edge of the pages were cut down when the volume was rebound. Innes' inscription in this book makes good sense - the volume was produced by a trading company and is largely filled with trade references and terms. Rebound, front cover detached, spine chipped, contents very good and clean.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Shipments are sent via USPS Priority, USPS International Priority, DHL (for most overseas shipments) or FedEx Ground at the auctioneer's option, signature is always required, unless other arrangements are made. Handling and shipping charges will be added to the invoice in one entry. Buyers should be aware that large, framed, fragile or odd shaped items can incur substantial shipping and packing charges. International shipments are invoiced by DIMENSIONAL weight, not the item weight. Please contact us for an estimate before bidding NOTE: Large, heavy or bulky items may not be shipped by the auctioneer - arrangements for shipping of these items via a third-party shipper may be arranged through the auction house. Customers who supply their own courier account number will still be charged a handling fee. Please allow 14 - 21 days for shipments to arrive after receipt of payment due to the high volume of package being shipped.

July 9, 2015 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 24.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000