Autobiography of Ah Tu. A Chinese Doll's Story.
Hackensack, NJ: Privately Printed, 1902. Scarce and wonderfully inventive tale of a Chinese doll who travels from a mission in China to be given to an American girl, daughter of an American missionary returning to the United States. With many sharp and amusing observations made by the doll Ah Tu concerning life in China compared to life in the United States, as she is questioned by the racist dolls in the American nursery. Privately printed, this is not located on World Cat.
The doll's descriptions include the long voyage from China to Vancouver, hiding from Mr. Watchorn the immigration commissioner "for fear he would not let even a Chinese dolly cross the line" (p7), anti Chinese stereotypes, and questioning of the missionary role in China ("In China we think of all white people who come there, as being Christians, but when we see some of the awful things they do we wonder how they can call their way the best" (p12).
The tale is written by Helen Ross Card, "aged thirteen", with 6 line drawn illustrations by Pauline Gard, "aged ten". The girls are daughters of Anson Albert Gard and Jennie Perry.
Oblong 8vo, 14pp. Frontispiece b&w photographic illustration of the 3 Gard sisters on the verso of the title page; line drawings of the doll Ah Tu and her original Chinese owner, Sing Wee, and Marion Houston, the American girl to whom she was given. Printed b&w photographic illustrations of President Theodore Roosevelt and Sir Liang Chen (Yale graduate and newly appointed minister to the US). Stiff plain patterned paper wrappers, staple bound. Wrapper corners slightly curled; very short closed tear top edge front wrapper. Not located on World Cat. Very good overall. Item #25938
Sold