Arlington, L.C.

LIMITED EDITION, NO. 559 OF 750 COPIES SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR, 4to (280 x 220mm.), colour frontispiece, 115 plates, mostly in colour, original cloth-backed patterned boards with peacock feather design (also on endpapers), scattered spotting, repair to front and rear hinges, spine sunned, light wear to binding

All Under Heaven 36

Condition is described in the main body of the catalogue, where appropriate. Hinge at p.56/plate no.51 cracked, small bottom corner of pp.161/162 missing.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

PRESENTATION COPY, inscribed "To Mr. Derek Hill by the author. Peiping; 17th Dec, 1936". Arlington's detailed description of Chinese drama. He states: "The Chinese have a saying that 'those in front of the stage are fools and those on the stage are lunatics. After nearly fifty years' personal experience of Chinese Theatricals... I am in a position to vouch for the above-mentioned proverb" (Introduction).

"Western missionaries and diplomats who through lengthy service in China developed exceptional facility in Chinese, enjoyed superb vantages on living cultural traditions, worked with knowledgeable native informants, and harboured a genuine respect for China produced some of the most enduring studies of the Chinese arts published in the early and middle decades of the twentieth century. The Chinese Drama from the Earliest Times until Today is one such work. The author, Lewis Charles Arlington (1859-?), was an American who serve six years in the Chinese navy, nineteen in the Imperial Chinese Maritime Customs, and twenty-three in the Chinese Postal Service, eventually becoming Commissioner of the latter. Upon retirement he published this volume as a means of introducing China's popular theatre to readers of English" (All Under Heaven).