The Inconstancy of Madam Chuang

1924, six Chinese stories from Chin Ku Ch'i Kuan

Author

Publisher

Printing Details

Undated [1924]. First UK edition. Hardback, bound in the original yellow cloth with printed titling to spine and upper board. 22 × 13.5cm, 259pp

A collection of six Chinese tales from "Chin Ku Ch'i Kuan" (trans: Observations of Strange Matters, New and Old), written towards the end of the Ming Dynasty (around the start of the 17th century). The authorship is not known, nor if it was a single author or a collection of authors. The Chin Ku Ch'i Kuan consists of about 40 stories, of which the translator has chosen the following six for this title: 1. The Inconstancy of Madam Chuang, 2. The Minister, the Lute and the Woodcutter, 3. The Diplomacy of Li T'ai-Po, 4. The Wonderful Adventure of Li, Duke of Ch'ien, 5. The Judgment of Magistrate T'eng, and 6. Marriage by Proxy. The book is illustrated with twelve full page plates by a Chinese artist whose identity is not revealed other than being described as a "Pekingese youth who has had no special training".

Condition

A fair copy. The cloth is damaged to the head of the spine, and both front and rear boards are mottled. The contents are in strong readable condition with some tanning to the pages. Previous owner's signature to ffep (Francesca Claremont, a folklorist and author).