The gage of the two civilizations : shall Christendom waver?

Being an inquiry into the causes of the rupture of the English and French treaties of Tien-Tsin: and comprising a general review of our relations with China : with notices of Japan, Siam and Cochin-China. Supplemental of the “Rationale of the China Question” and the “Memorable Year”. Printed, not published, at Macao, 1860. Quarto, original paper wrappers over modern boards, morocco spine with gilt lettering, early owner’s inscription of George F. Bartlett, dated 1861, to preliminary blank, pp [xvii]; (6, blanks, contents); 8 – 325; (2, blank); 24 (paginated A-X) and 22 – 101 (appendices).

A very rare Macanese imprint documenting the various papers which comprise the Treaty of Tien-tsin (Tianjin) which ended the Second Opium War (1856 – 1860). An extensive compendium assembled shortly after the treaty was ratified by the Emperor. Includes the American Treaty and discussion of Commodore Perry. Authorship (or editorship) is attributed by the Bibliothèque nationale de France to Gideon Nye, as per S. Halkett & J. Laing’s Dictionary of anonymous and pseudonymous English literature. A publisher’s label of Trübner & Co. described in a library catalogue suggests the work should be ascribed with a London imprint as intimated by the statement ‘Printed, not published, in Macao’.

Barely recorded in the market; a single example listed on Rare Book Hub, contained in the Warren Library, sold in 1917.

Cordier, Japonica, p. 545