Travel
WOLSELEY, Lt.-Col. J[ames] G[arnet].
Narrative of the war with China in 1860 to which is added the account of a short residence with the Tai-Ping rebels at Nankin and a voyage from thence to Hankow.
Longman, London 1862. First edition. 8vo., engraved portrait frontispiece, original purple grained cloth, gilt vignettes to spine and upper cover, all edges gilt, inner hinges cracked but firm, an excellent copy.
An important book with a first hand account of the looting of the Summer Palace. "Wolseley was sent to China, still on Sir Hope Grant's staff, for the campaign which the war in India had postponed. Reaching China in April 1860, he took part in the capture of the Taku Forts and of the Summer Palace at Pekin. During the looting of the treasures of the palace he was observed looking sadly upon a scene which he was powerless to stop, and he paid for such few treasures as he could afford to buy, a very real piece of self-denial to a man with great natural taste for works of art, of which as soon as he had any money he became an ardent and judicious collector. Throughout his life he was strongly opposed to looting ..." - DNB. Cordier, Sinica 2377; Taylor 263.
Price: £ 1100
US Dollar Price: $ 1660
Stock Number: 70652