Mason, George Henry. A fine copy of Mason's famous illustrated survey of the costume of China

MASON, GEORGE HENRY

THE COSTUME OF CHINA, ILLUSTRATED WITH SIXTY ENGRAVINGS: WITH EXPLANATIONS IN ENGLISH AND FRENCH. LONDON: WILLIAM MILLER, 1800 [PLATES WATERMARKED 1802]

Quarto (13 7/8 x 10 1/4 in.; 352 x 260 mm). Titles and text in English and French, 60 hand-colored stipple-engraved plates by Dadley after Pu-Qùa of Canton, each with accompanying text leaf. Contemporary diced russia, covers bordered in gilt and blind, spine with raised bands in seven compartments, second and sixth gilt lettered, others with repeat decoration in gilt, edges gilt, marbled endpapers.

A fine copy of Mason's famous illustrated survey of the costume of China

First published in 1800, Mason's text is based on his own experiences in Canton in 1789-1790. At the time he was there, foreigners were not allowed access to the China beyond the borders of the visitor's compounds. Mason, however, was able to gain some information from interacting with the Hong merchants of Canton. The work is given structure by the series of plates, based on original drawings by Pu-Qua, that Mason purchased in Canton. Each plate is accompanied by a commentary in which Mason draws on either his own experiences or the accounts of earlier writers such as Staunton and Nieuhoff.

REFERENCE:

Abbey, Travel II:533; Colas 2009; Lipperheide Le 17