THE COSTUME OF CHINA, 1800, WITH 60 HANDCOLORED FOLIO PLATES

(PU-QÙA) MASON, George Henry. The Costume of China, Illustrated by Sixty Engravings: with Explications in English and French. London: W. Miller (S. Gosnell), 1800. Folio, contemporary full red straight-grain morocco rebacked with original spine laid down. elaborately gilt-decorated spine and covers, raised bands, all edges gilt.

First edition, later issue, of these “correct drawings of the Chinese in their respective habits and occupations, the itinerant mechanics and handicraftsmen in particular,” with 60 vividly hand-colored full-page plates after drawings by Cantonese artist Pu-Qùa. A lovely large copy.

The Costume of China was one of a series of six costume books published by William Miller over a four-year period. Each hand-colored plate, drawn from life by local artist Pu-Qùa and stipple-engraved by John Dadley, is accompanied by an explanation of the subject’s role, responsibility and details of dress, written by George Mason, “Major of His Majesty’s (Late) 102d Regiment.” “The Chinese, collectively, appear to be ingenious in their peaceful arts; polished and courteous in their manners; just and polite in their penal laws; and in want of nothing but the blessing of revealed religion to render them one of the happiest people in the universe.” Cantonese watercolorist Pu-Qùa learned to paint in the Western style. His depictions of the everyday lives and dress of the working class are “accurate representations of the domestic and mechanical habits of an original and remote nation, which, though discovered upwards of 500 years, is still but little known by Europeans.” Pu-Qùa and his successors “acquired an international reputation, making his studio one of the mandatory stops on any new visitor’s tour of Canton” (Eric Hayot). The popularity of these exotic costume books created a demand for successive reprints— although the title-page of this copy indicates the 1800 first edition, the text and most plates are printed on paper watermarked 1821 and 1823. This copy contains a tipped-in leaf, dated 1822, announcing that T. M’Lean had assumed distribution of Miller’s publications. Text in English and French. Colas 2009. Hiler, 575. See Abbey, Travel 533 (1804 edition). Tooley 320. Prideaux, 317. Evidence of bookplate removal.

Plates crisp and colors true, faint offsetting from plates to text. Light expert restoration to extremities of contemporary morocco. A lovely copy, beautifully bound.