Notes on the Chinese documentary style.

/ By F. Hirth, Ph.D.,Deputy Commissioner and Assistant Statistical Secretary, Inspectorate General of Customs, Shanghai. At head of title: Wên-chien tzü-chü ju-mên. Shanghai, Hongkong, Yokohama, and Singapore : Kelly & Walsh, Limited, 1888. Small octavo, contemporary half cloth over marbled papered boards (rubbed), spine with gilt rule and lettering; pp. vi, [2], 150, [1 Errata], [1 blank], [1 publisher’s ad.], [1 blank]; text in English, with linguistic examples in Chinese characters throughout; light foxing to pastedowns and endpapers, but an excellent copy.

First edition of this important study of language style in Chinese administrative documents, authored by Friedrich Hirth (1845-1927).

A scarce Shanghai imprint.

Last sale record in the Rare Book Hub database is from 1922 (Anderson Galleries).