全 集 語 英 (Ying u Tsap Ts’un) or The Chinese and English Instructor

Canton : 1862. Six volumes (complete), tall octavo (279 x 153mm), original stitched wrappers (the first volume lacking the lower wrapper), printed title labels (with remnants on a few volumes), some rubbing and light stains; text in English and Chinese; text blocks folded in fukurotoji style, housed in original wooden boards (one crack repaired) titled in manuscript, the cords replaced (originals preserved; housed in a custom folding clamshell box with gilt-lettered title label.

‘Ying Ủ Tsap Ts‘un is the one of the most important 19th-century publications on Chinese Pidgin English. By recording the pronunciation of contemporary speech in English and Pidgin English which were rendered in Chinese characters, it provides a critical reference for comparison to English sources.’ – University of Hong Kong

“This book, entitled the Ying ü tsap ts’ün (“English words collected complete,”) is compiled in six volumes, and is bound in the octavo shape. It is arranged in the Chinese style under different heads, but in most instances they come in the alphabetical order. It is written by the author, a native of Canton province, in the Canton dialect, chiefly to suit the Canton people who have transactions, or are connected, with foreigners. The words are first given in Chinese; then, the pronunciation of such words, written in English; then, the meaning of those words in the English language; and lastly the pronunciation of the English words written in Chinese, so that the book is not only useful for Chinese to learn English, but at the same time will enable foreigners to learn Chinese. As the words are arranged under different headings, references can easily be made. The book also contains a copy of the Tariff, and many other useful tables, such as times and seasons, weights and measures, etc.” – Preface, Volume 1.

T’ong Ting-kü (1832 – 1892, also known as Tong King-sing, or Tang Tingshu 唐廷樞) was the most important comprador associated with the Jardine trading business during the 1860s, Chief Officer of China Merchants during 1873-1884. The book was designed for residents of Canton to be able to converse about commercial matters with westerners who spoke English. It also serves as a vehicle for westerners to learn Chinese.

Not in Cordier.

Very rare, with only two examples recorded at auction in the past century (this example appearing twice)

Reference:

FOCUS. The University of Hong Kong Libraries. New Series. Vol. 4, No. 3, Jan 2005

Provenance: 

Richard Berry, Melbourne

Australian Book Auctions ‘The Berry Collection’ 23 September 2007, lot 29

private collection

Christie’s London, Fine Printed Books and Manuscripts, 27 November 2012, lot 190

private collection, Hong Kong

acquired from the above