GILES, Herbert A. (1845-1935). From Swatow to Canton. Shanghai: Kelly & Walsh at the "Celestial Empire" Office, 1877.
8vo. Wood-engraved frontispiece; errata at end. (Offsetting from plate to title, a few leaves soiled in margin.) Later half calf gilt; original printed wrappers bound in. Provenance: Theodore Sampson (early ownership signature on title-page).
FIRST EDITION of Giles' narrative of his overland journey from Swatow to Canton in 1877, that is largely devoted to the Hakka-occupied hinterland but also covering Swatow and its environs in the early chapters. Giles was a British diplomat, sinologist, and professor of Chinese at the University of Cambridge for 35 years. Born in Oxford, England, Giles joined the British consular service and spent 25 years in various posts in China before retiring at the age of 47. RARE: Online records indicate the last copy appeared at auction nearly a century ago in 1928. Cordier Sinica 301.
