Lot 319
319
GULIK, R.H. v. -- DEE GOONG AN. Three Murder Cases solved by Judge Dee. An old Chinese detective novel translated from the original Chinese with an introduction and notes by R.H. v. Gulik. (Tokyo, Printed for the author by Toppan Printing Company, 1949). (8), xxiii, 237 pp. W. tinted front. and 2 ills. reproduced from original Chinese pictures and 6 plates after ancient Chinese models. Obrds. (Spine ends/corners sl. rubbed, small white stain on back cover, but a very good and well-preserved copy).
The very scarce precursor of Van Gulik's Judge Dee series. The work originates in the 18th century and was published anonymously, because writing (especially of crime fiction) was not considered a worthy profession. It was often reprinted over a long period of time and Van Gulik was faced with a copy of the work in a Tsjoengking library. He recognised the importance of the work not only as a piece of crime-fiction, but also as an important historical source for the T'ang Dynasty (618-907). Van Gulik translated the work in English and circulated it among his friends. The enthusiast response induced him to publish the work privately in a small number of copies. Inspired by the success of Dee Goong An Van Gulik started to publish his own Judge Dee mysteries in the early fifties. - Printed in 1200 numb. copies, signed and w. author's seal-stamp, original coloured woodblock print covers by Van Gulik.€ 400
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