The Chinese Recorder and Missionary Journal.: Volumes VI-IX.

Shanghai: American Presbyterian Mission Press,, 1875-78. The most important interdenominational missionary journal of the time A collection of four scarce early volumes of this Shanghai-based periodical, which served as the expatriate missionary community's premier forum for sinological exchange, including contributions on philosophy, social history, linguistics, literature, and religion. Early volumes are now seldom encountered in commerce. The Chinese Recorder and Missionary Journal was first published in 1868 in Fuzhou under the editorship of Stephen Livingstone Baldwin and then Justus Doolittle. In 1874, editorial responsibilities were passed to Alexander Wylie (1815-1887), the agent of the British and Foreign Bible Society in Shanghai, with the city's American Presbyterian Mission Press taking over printing and distribution. Issued every two months, the journal featured articles by leading missionary-sinologists including Emil Bretschneider, Henry Yule, Timothy Richard, and Samuel Wells Williams. 24 parts in Four volumes, octavo (235 x 153). Contemporary black half sheep (A. H. Chen, Shantou), recently rebacked with original spines laid down, red spine labels lettered in gilt, purple wavy-grained cloth sides. With 4 folding plans and maps (3 woodblock and printed on delicate rice paper), illustrations in text. Vol. VIII bound without the index. Bindings somewhat worn and faded, contents generally fresh, folding plans with occasional creasing and stub tears. A very good set. Francesca Torocco, The Cultural Practices of Modern Chinese Buddhism, 2007.