AN AUTHENTIC ACCOUNT OF AN EMBASSY FROM THE KING OF GREAT BRITAIN TO THE EMPEROR

first edition

by STAUNTON, George.

London 1796,98, Bulmer. Full calf, 3 vol. set, 2 vols.: text 518+626p.+ 29 engravings; + folio atlas 44 engraved plates, rebound 3/4-calf over marbled boards, bright text 1798 2nd.& best edition, atlas 1796, with Lady Mcartney's letter.RARE ! . *** *** *** . . . A MOST HISTORIC ACCOUNT OF THE FIRST BRITISH EMBASSY . . TO CHINA AND THE CHI'EN LUNG EMPEROR IN 1797 . . . TOGETHER WITH A DATED PENNED LETTER . . FROM LADY MACARTNEY TO A FRIEND . *** SUBTITLE.: continued: Tartary. Together With a Relation of The Voyage Undertaken on the Occasion By His Majesty's Ship the Lion, and the Ship Hindustan, in the East India Company's Service, to the Yellow Sea, (truncated) and Gulf of Pekin; as well as of Their Return to Europe; With Notices of the Several Places Where they Stopped in Their Way Out and Home; Being the Islands of Madeira, Tenerife, and St. Jago; The Port of Rio De Janeiro in South America; the Islands of St. Helena, Tristan D'Acunha, and Amsterdam; the Coasts of Java, and Sumatra; the Nanka Islands, Pulo Condore, and Cochin-China. Taken Chiefly From the Papers of His Excellency the Earl of McCartney, ....Sir George Staunton. In Two volumes, with engravings; beside a folio volume of plates. The Second [and considered the best] edition, corrected. . **** . WHO WAS THE FIRST EARL, GEORGE MACARTNEY: George Macartney, 1st Earl Macartney, KB [1737-1806] was a British statesman, colonial administrator and diplomat. He was known for his famous quote about Britain having: "A vast Empire, on which the sun never sets". . MACARTNEY BECAME BRITAIN'S FIRST AMBASSADOR TO CHINA: . After being created Earl Macartney in the Irish peerage [1792] he was appointed the first envoy of Britain to China, after the failure of a number of previous embassies, including Catcher’s. He led the Macartney Embassy to Beijing in 1792 with a large British delegation on board a 64-gun man-of-war, HMS Lion. The embassy was ultimately not successful in its primary aim to open trade with China, although numerous secondary purposes were attained, including first-hand assessment of the strength of the Chinese empire. The failure to obtain trade concessions was not due to Macartney’s refusal to kowtow in the presence of the Qianlong Emperor, as is commonly believed. It is probably described most neutrally as a result of competing world views which were uncomprehending and incompatible. After the conclusion of the embassy, Qianlong sent a letter to King George III, explaining in greater depth the reasons for his refusal to grant the requests of the embassy. . The Macartney Embassy is historically significant because it marked a missed opportunity by the Chinese to move toward some kind of accommodation with the West. This failure would continue to plague the Qing Dynasty as it encountered increasing foreign pressures and internal unrest during the 19th century. * This work was based on Macartney’s journals, and rewritten by Staunton. . **** THE MOST IMPORTANT BOOK ON CHINA OF THE LATE 18TH CENTURY: . By and large, the best single English language item done on China in the 18th century. The official account of Earl Macartney's informative but unsuccessful mission to establish formal diplomatic and commercial relations with China. Staunton accompanied the Embassy as Secretary & compiled his book chiefly from the papers of the Ambassador & his fellow envoys. A fascinating true history of the expedition, useful primary source. . *** WHO WAS GEORGE STAUNTON: George Staunton [1737-1801] was a British diplomat, in 1774 Dr. Samuel Johnson met Staunton and they became life-long friends. Although the official mission to China failed, a wealth of precious information was collected and published in this first comprehensive official account. . During this period of time, Great Britain was anxious to establish formal diplomatic relations with China and open usual trade relations. The unwilling Chinese resisted all Western foreign intervention in China. In the end the gifts and arguments were rejected. . *** IMPORTANT EDITION NOTE ! Only the FIRST [1797] & CORRECTED SECOND EDITIONS [1798] of this work contains the folio atlas, which is dated 1896. . The text are small folios: 23 x 29.5 cm., bound in old gold stamped calf, with gilt decorations, and the atlas is 44 x 57 cm., with recent 3/4 rebinding in calf to the spine and 4 corners, then gold stamped. . *** *** *** *** . . A VERY SPECIAL ASSOCIATION COPY . . CONTAINS A DATED LETTER FROM LADY JANE MACARTNEY . This special copy contains a most superb 1781 dated letter from Lady Jane Macartney, George Staunton's wife, loosely laid into volume one, to a family friend. . Jane [nee Stuart], the wife of George, First Earl Macartney . [1737-1806] the celebrated First Ambassador to China. . This is a wonderful letter, written in the third person to "Mr. Spottiswood." . One page, quarto, The text is clear, legible and complete. A formal letter stating: "She is rather surprised at not having heard from him again on the Subject of Lord McCartney’s business in Scotland. Lady Macartney writes to put Mr. Spottiswood in mind that the last ships for India this year will sail in the course of this Month & she therefore hopes if possible that in about a fortnight he will send her an account of these affairs, that she may transmit to Lord Macartney at Madras." . The letter is hand-written by Lady Jane, on a single laid stiff sheet, center folded down to be 18.4 x 23,5 cm. Written on the two outside faces, center blank. The letter was red-wax sealed by Lady Jane prior to sending. Half of this seal remains with what appears to be the upper half of a butterfly, the lower portion is not present. There is one small hot-sealing wax dot just above the seal. . Mr. Spottiswood has annotated the verso with: "Lady McCartney London 10 May 1781 Answered immediately Answered again 23 June 1781" . Condition: The letter was first folded in half and then twice more for posting, currently it is very flat. This is a quite clean copy, on aged yet bright laid-paper, with several pin holes in the upper left corner not affecting text. There is an old restoration to a corner, currently solid and stable. All in all excellent. . *** *** *** *** . THE PLATES: Beautiful views of Cochin-China, Macao, Yang-Tzw river life, many other views of China. Highly collectable title, documenting the first English Embassy to China. A most handsome addition to any great collection. This work is seldom found in its complete state, with the atlas of maps & superb copper engraved plates, with nice frontispiece engravings in volumes 1 & 2 of McCartney and Tchien Lung, the Great Emperor of China. . *** THE RARE FOLIO ATLAS: Issued 1796 First & Only Edition: The atlas was copper etched, is ca. 44 x 55.5 cm. It is bound in 3/4 calf over original marbled boards, and contains 44 finely engraved maps, plans, views and some are double-page, several folding, including the large 57 x 93 cm. general chart, with plates: . CONTENTS: 1. General chart on Mercator's projection of track of the . ships from England to the gulf of Pe-che-lee, or Pekin . and their return to England. . 2. View of eastern side of the island of Amsterdam in the . Indian ocean. . 3. A chart of the coast of Cochin-china. . 4. A chart on Mercator's projection of the Lion, Hindustan, . Turon bay in Cochin-china to the mouth of the Pei-ho . river. . 5. A chart of several clusters of islands on the eastern . coast of China called Chu-san islands. . 6. Sketch by compass of the coast of Shan-tung, strait of . Mi-a-tau. . 7. Views of the land promontory of Shang-tung. . 8. Sketch of Pei-ho or White river near entrance of gulf of . Pekin. . 9. Sketch of a journey from Zhe-hol in Tartary by land to . Pekin. . 10. Sketch of a journey from Han-choo-foo to Quang-choo-foo . or Canton. . 11. Plan of the city and Harbour of Macao. . 12. Leaf of the cactus opuntia, or prickly pear. . 13. Fire-backed pheasant of Java . 14. View of a village on the borders of Turon bay in . Cochin-china. . 15. View of Turon bay from a small island. . 16. A mandarin, or magistrate of Turon. . 17. A Chinese military post. . 18. Chinese military drawn out to Ambassador, and falling . on their knees to receive him. . 19. Instruments of war used by the Chinese. . 20. View of the western gates of Pekin. . 21. Plan of the hall of audience, three courts lead into . palace of Yuen-min-yuen in Pekin. . 22. View of the front hall of audience. . 23. Plans, sections, and elevations of the great wall of . China. . 24. View of part of the great wall of China. . 25. Approach of the Emperor of China to his tent in Tartary . to receive the British Ambassador. . 26. Plan, section and elevation of Poo-ta-la [Tibet]. . 27. View of Poo-ta-la . 28. Punishments of the Cha. . 29. View in the garden of imperial palace of Pekin. . 30. Dramatic scene on the Chinese stage. . The other 14 illustration titles are: View of Pai-loo; Quan, or Mandarine; View near Lin-tsin; Plan of sluice or floodgate; Chinese barges; View across lak Pao-yng; Pelicanus sinensis; View of Chinese city; View of Chin-san; Chinese barges; View of Lake See-hoo; Economy of time and labor; Rock of Quang-yin; Scoop-wheel of China. . *** THE TEXT PLATES: The drawings were done by William Alexander. . Volume 1: Frontispiece of Chen-Lung Emperor of China; Adasonia or Baobab monkey bread-fruit; View of largest of the islands of Tristan d'Acunha; Cochin-Chinese boat; Curious insect in Turon bay; Feet and ankles of a Chinese lady [bound feet]; Chinese mariner's compass. * Volume 2: . Frontispiece of Excellency Earl of McCartney; Hai-vang or Neptune of the Chinese; Two men swinging water baskets; Female divinity in the temple of Tong-Choo-foo; Bronze vessel; Transport of large heavy packages; Method of carrying sedan chairs; Manner of crushing rice and grain; Statue of bronze lion; Emperor's Throne; Carved scepter of jade; Agate of extraordinary size; Cemented earth temple in Zhe-hol; Liu-shin spirit of thunder; Two fishermen carrying a boat; Manner of drawing up a large net; Exact portrait of a Chinese bridge; One method used for working the chain-pump; Chinese plough; Camellia Sesanqua, tea plant; Cave of Camoens at Macao; Pillar on an animal in temple near Pekin. * These lively and large plates illustrate coastal views, birds of an unusual character, natives and other images of significance. Expertly drawn and engraved. . *** THE SECOND & BEST CORRECTED EDITION: Was published a year after the First Edition [1797], in 1798 and is considered more valuable than the First Edition. This work has always been considered rare when complete with the atlas, and remains the most valuable primary resource for the first official British embassy to the Emperor to China. . *** THE BINDINGS: Volumes 1 & 2 are in period gilt-ruled calf, expertly re-backed with modern gilt-tooled calf. Each volume is ca. 23 x 29.5 cm., there is an armorial book plate inside the front covers of both volumes 1 & 2. The atlas does not have any book plate, but is with its original marbled end papers, and is solid, with recent 3/4 calf rebind of the spine and the four corners, with gilt stamping, which are not identical with the text volumes. . *** Color photos are posted to our website. . *** BIBLIOGRAPHY: * LUST, John.: WESTERN BOOKS ON CHINA PUBLISHED UP TO 1850, # 545. * H. Cordier: BIBLIOTHECA SINICA 2381-82. * Hill: Pacific Voyages, p.0-281, 1628, p.250. * Maggs: Catalog no. 521:"Apart from its Chinese importance, is of considerable interest owing to the various places visited en route, including Madeira, Tenerife, Rio de Janeiro, St. Helena, Tristan D'Acuna, Amsterdam Island, Java, Sumatra, Cochin-China, etc." * E. Cox I, A REFERENCE GUIDE TO THE LITERATURE OF TRAVEL pp. 334-345."A most interesting account of Chinese manners & customs at the close of the 18th century." * Lord Macartney: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Macartney,_1st_Earl_Mac artney#Governor_of_Madras . *** . (Inventory #: 41027402)

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AN AUTHENTIC ACCOUNT OF AN EMBASSY FROM THE KING OF GREAT BRITAIN TO THE EMPEROR

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Rare Oriental Book Co., An Art and Intellectual Property Company Since 1967, ABAA, ILAB

ATLAS CHINENSIS: BEING A SECOND PART OF A RELATION OF REMARKABLE PAFFAGES IN TWO

AN EMBASSY FROM THE EAST-INDIA COMPANY OF THE UNITED PROVINCES, TO THE GRAND TAR

The ABAA Promise

The ABAA
Promise