Three Years in Western China; A Narrative of Three Journeys in Ssu-Ch'uan, Kuei-Chow, and Yun-nan.
New York: Dodd Mead, 1890. Hardcover. Sir Alexander Hosie (1853 - 1925) describes his 5,000 mile journeys (undertaken from 1882 to 1884), in southwest China, where he served as British consular agent in Chongqing. On the third journey to China Hosie traveled, "mainly with a view to collecting information upon the subject of Chinese Insect Wax, for the benefit of the Royal Gardens at Kew" (xxii).
Contents include: the Yang-tsze to western China; Ch'ung K'ing to Kuei-Chow; west to Yun-Nan; northeastern Yun-Nan to the Yang-tsze; Ch'ung-K'ing to capital of Ssu-Ch'uan; Lolodom and the valley of Chien-Ch'ang; Caindu to Carajan; Ta-Li Fu to Yun-Nan Fu; Kuei-Chow to Yang-Tsze; The White Wax country; Chinese Insect White Wax; trade; the Pho; and Note on Opium cultivation in China and India.
With presentation inscription, "To Geo. A.Taplin, from Dodd, Mead & Company, Xmas 1893". 8vo, silver gilt and red illustrated blue cloth with title in Chinese style typeface at front board; with silver gilt title at illustrated spine. Boards and spine ends a bit rubbed, rear end paper lacking. 8vo, xxxiv, 302pp, index, 4pp ads, folding color map. The Introduction by Archibald Little; with Note on Opium cultivation in China and India. OCLC 5761175. Very good condition. Item #20544
Price: $450.00