The Chinese Drama
Hongkong, Shanghai, Yokohama and Singapore: Kelly & Walsh, 1899. First Edition. Small 8vo. 130 pp (including an 18-page introduction "The Chinese Drama" not previously published). Half-title. Text in English and some Chinese. Publisher's green cloth boards with red lettering on front cover. Spotting to covers; minor wear to extremities; 3 previous owner name stamps on title page; a good copy. Item #20078
"The three plays and two poems in this little volume are reprinted, with slight alterations, from the China Review. The introductory account of Chinese theatrical affairs has never before appeared in print. But since it contains a fairly full description of the Chinese stage and everything connected with it, the author hopes that besides assisting the reader in thoroughly understanding the plays, it will prove instructive and entertaining." - Preface. The titles of the three plays are 'The Willow Lute' (Qin si liu), 'The Golden Leafed Chrysanthemum (Jin ye ju), and 'The Sacrifice for the Soul of Ho Man Sau' (Fu jian He Wenxiu). The titles of the two poems are 'A Chinese Legend' (Peng Tsu) and 'Muck Lan's Parting: A Ballad'.
Price: $500.00