Narrative of the Earl of Elgin’s Mission to China and Japan in the years 1857, ’58, ’59.

New York : Harper & Bros., 1860. First U.S. edition. Large octavo (240 x 160 mm), publisher’s green cloth over boards with gilt device to upper board, spine lettered in gilt (faded, slightly frayed at head), frontispiece colour plate, pp. xvi, [17]-645, [2 publisher’s ads.]; 60 in-text wood-engraved illustrations; front hinge starting, otherwise internally sound and clean throughout.

Oliphant was private secretary to Lord Elgin on his diplomatic mission, which took place in 1857-59. He was present at the bombardment of Canton, and the storming of Tientsin.

The first US edition (issued as one volume) and the first UK edition (two volumes) were both published in 1860