Huc m abbé e r (1 risultati)

Hard Cover. Condizione: Good. No Jacket. Later Printing. Important account of the Chinese Empire before the intense incursion of Europe. Abbé Huc was a French missionary who went to Asia in 1838, not returning to France until 1852; he earlier wrote a popular book of his travels in Tibet with Joseph Gabet, where they attempted to establish a Christian mission. His accounts are still respected as historical sources, more focused on Chinese reality than Christian piety, though completely reliable. This set belonged to Thomas C. Dudley, with his name inside each front cover and first text page. Dudley was a purser's clerk aboard the USS Powhatan, which became Commodore Perry's flagship upon joining his fleet in 1853, overwintering in Hong Kong before participating in the forced opening of Japan to American trade. Dudley's papers, held by the Clements Library at the University of Michigan, document Dudley's low opinion of the Commodore & interest in China, where he was able to do a fair bit of travel between trips to Japan; he returned to the States in early 1856. Hardcover, two volume set, as pictured; first published in America in 1855, these are early reprints dated 1856 & 1857. Light general wear, spines faded, corners bumped; folding map mis-folded with a short tear; some foxing, heavier to the rear of volume 2, with discolored endsheets; a few pencil notes - possibly Dudley's, possibly an heir's - the initials J. C. D. are pencilled into one volume; Dudley's name is dated '57. 421; 422 pages; index, folding map. Size: Duodecimo. Set.…