W. H. Medhurst — China: Its State and Prospects

London, John Snow, 1838. First edition. Cloth. The first printing of this fascinating exploration of China and its future developments, complete with illustrations including a hand coloured frontispiece. The first edition, first printing.Illustrated with a hand-coloured frontispiece, vignette title page, one folding map, and five plates.Collated, complete.'China: Its State and Prospects' is an interesting early nineteenth century work that delves into the history and state of China during that era, from the point of view of a missionary who was sent to China by the London Missionary Society in 1816.This work inspired many people to become missionaries, including Hudson Taylor, who spent fifty years in China and founded the China Inland Mission. William Henry Medhurst was an English Congregationalist missionary to China, one of the early translator of the Bible into the Chinese language.Illustrated by G. Baxter.Bookplate of David Williams Wire, who was the Lord Mayor of London and was involved with the founding of the National Hospital in Queens Square. In the original publisher's cloth binding. Externally, smart. A little rubbing to the board and spine. Some minor marks to the boards and spine. Very light bumping to the head and tail of the spine and to the extremities. Front hinge is slightly strained. Bookplate to the front paste down. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are lightly age toned with some scattered spots. Frontispiece is working loose. Very Good . Ill.: G. Baxter. Very Good .