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an open book with drawings of various objects on itan old book with chinese writing on it sitting on top of a table
Premium Jeschke Jádi Auctions Berlin

Estimate €1,200 - €1,600
Sale commission
Description
China Hager, Joseph Monument of Yu, the oldest inscription in China, followed by thirty-two forms of ancient Chinese characters, with some remarks on this inscription and on these characters. With a frontispiece and 32 plates featuring Chinese characters. Paris, Treuttel and Wurtz, 1802. 1 leaf, 12 pp., 1 leaf, 1 leaf, 1 leaf. Large folio. Bound with a mounted title page (heavily rubbed and bumped, stained; spine partly broken and restored). First edition of the first French work by the philologist Joseph Hager. – Lust 987. – Löwendahl II, 717. - The inscription discovered by Hager in the ‘Great Japanese Encyclopaedia’ dates back to Emperor Yu (c. 2300 BC) and commemorates the receding of the floods caused by torrential rains. Hager was able to decipher the text on the basis of two copies held at the Bibliothèque nationale; the French translation of the inscription was provided by the Jesuit and missionary Amiot (1718–1794). The characters engraved by Fourmont were used for the printing. - Edges slightly browned, in places with minimal staining. Uncut and, overall, very well-preserved copy. With a frontispiece and 32 plates featuring Chinese characters. Original cardboard with mounted title label (heavily rubbed and bumped, stained, spine partially split and restored). - First edition of the first French work by the philologist Joseph Hager. - The inscription discovered by Hager in the ‘Great Japanese Encyclopaedia’ dates back to Emperor Yu (c. 2300 BCE) and commemorates the receding of floods caused by torrential rains. Hager was able to study the text using two copies held at the Bibliothèque nationale; the French translation of the inscription is by the Jesuit missionary Amiot (1718–1794). The characters engraved by Fourmont were used for the printing. - Margins slightly browned, with occasional minimal staining. An uncut copy in very good overall condition. This lot is subject to standard tax. A 24.95% buyer’s premium is payable on the hammer price, and 7% (Books and Art) or 19% VAT (Manuscripts, Screenprints, Offset Prints, Photographs) is payable on the final invoice amount within the European Union. This lot is subject to the standard tax regime. A 24.95% buyer’s premium applies to the hammer price, and 7% (books and art) or 19% VAT (manuscripts, screen prints, offset prints and photographs) applies to the final invoice amount within the European Union.
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About the sale Valuable books, prints, historical photographs
Auction location
Auction time 10/24/2026 at 10:00 AM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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