ORIGINAL JAPANESE WOODBLOCK PRINT COVERDONE BY VAN GULIK FOR HIS 1949 TRANSLATION OF DEE GOONG AN.

VAN GULIK, ROBERT.

Published by 1949., 1949

About this Item

One of a limited number of the original Japanese woodblock prints done by Van Gulik for his 1949 translation of Dee Goong An, The Ancient Chinese Detective Story, that are criminal cases solved by Judge Dee. The book DEE GOONG AN was published in 1949 and limited to 1200 copies. This print was used as the dust jacket for the book, but after his death in 1967, a small number (probably 20 copies), were found among his holdings and were sold by his wife. On the printing of Dee Goong An, Dr. van Gulik noted: The cover of this book represents the scene described on page 197. ["Judge Dee had the senior scribe read aloud his notes of the confession, and Hsu Deh-tai affixed his seal thereto. The judge slowly reread the document. Then he ordered the constables to bring in Mrs. Djou . They took off her robes, leaving her only one undergarment, and then stretched her out on the floor. Having brought in the large screws, they made her lie on the heavy boards with her back, and placed her arms and legs in the screws. Her body writhed in vain in the terrible grip, and she shrieked hoarsely, but she gave no sign of wanting to confess."]. The print measures 13" x 18" and is protected with a mat and tasteful wooden frame. The condition of the print is fine and it provides a scene that is present in one of the three stories Judge Dee had to solve. An elusive item and an exceptional copy.

Seller Inventory # 27147

Bibliographic Details

• Title: ORIGINAL JAPANESE WOODBLOCK PRINT COVERDONE BY VAN GULIK FOR HIS 1949 TRANSLATION OF DEE GOONG AN.
• Publisher: 1949.
• Publication Date: 1949
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: First edition.
• Dust Jacket Condition: Dust Jacket Included