SHUCK, Jehu Lewis (1812-1864). Portfolio Chinensis: or A Collection of Authentic Chinese State Papers Illustrative of the History of the Present Position of Affairs in China. Macao, China: Printed for the translator by F.F. de Cruz, 1840.
8vo. Half-title. Contemporary silk brocade covers, rebacked preserving original endpapers (front free endpaper and flyleaf detached). Provenance: John? Henshaw Belcher (fl. 1830?), possibly the travel author (recipient of the translator's inscription).
FIRST EDITION. INSCRIBED BY THE TRANSLATOR on the half-title. This work prints important Chinese documents relating to the First Opium War (1839-1842), then in progress. These include the edicts against the taking and trafficking in opium, as well as the draconian edicts of Governor Lin against English traders following the British failure to curb imports of raw opium. This last was apparently appended at short notice, thanks to the loan by the East India Company of Morrison's movable Chinese type, earlier parts of the work being printed from woodblock. RARE: Only one copy has appeared at auction in over 50 years. Cordier Sinica, 1905-1906; Lust 478.
