GULIK, Robert van ( author and translator ). Ti-Jen-Chien-Ch’i-an [The Strange Cases of Detective Dee: The Chinese Maze Murders].

GULIK, Robert van (author and translator). Ti-Jen-Chien-Ch’i-an [The Strange Cases of Detective Dee: The Chinese Maze Murders]. Singapore: Nan-yang-yin-shau-she [Nanyang Commercial Press]. 1953.

8vo. Original blue paper covers with white floral motif, title in Chinese to upper cover and red woodblock seal to the lower; pp. [8], 5, [1 (blank)], 1-2, 1-199, [1 blank], with photographic portrait of Van Gulik and 8 full-page b&w illustrations by the author in a woodblock style; spine and rear panel creased, c. 1 cm closed tear to rear cover, light rusting to staples visible at the front cover, general toning and spotting throughout; a very good copy.

First Chinese edition of The Chinese Maze Murders.

The Chinese Maze Murders, the second novel in Van Gulik’s celebrated Judge Dee series, loosely based on the seventh-century Tang dynasty magistrate Di Renjie, was first published in Japanese in 1950. This Chinese translation predates the English-language edition by three years.

A particularly pleasing example of this notoriously fragile publication.

Evers, p. 51.

SKU: 2124212