The Golden Age of China.

Shanghai: Literary Department, AWC,, [c.1925]. First edition, first printing, of this uncommon window onto life among expatriate American women in Shanghai during the interwar period. This potpourri of papers, all read before the Literary Department of the American Women's Club between 1923 and 1925, concerns literary and historical topics as varied as Song dynasty painting, the fall of the Ming dynasty, and Chinese nestorianism. WorldCat records copies in eight locations with none in the UK. The club was founded in the early 20th century as an affiliate of the General Federation of Women's Clubs. By 1920, its membership had grown to 300, with many also belonging to the Daughters of the American Revolution. The Literary Department provided a space for intellectual enquiry into Chinese history, art, and culture. The present work includes papers delivered by 19 women, as well as several by male guest speakers. This was the third volume published by the club, the others being Arts and Art Crafts of China (1921) and The Dawn of Chinese Civilization (1923). Octavo. Half-tone frontispiece, 6 similar plates. Original grey lettered wrappers, tied with blue silk chord into blue quarter cloth boards through punch holes as issued, front board lettered in black. Contemporary ownership signature on p. 100. Boards bright with a few marks, cloth and ties a little faded, internally clean with light, even toning, illustrations fresh. A very good copy indeed.