Two Classic Studies on Ancient Chinese Bibliography

By Chunxiang Mao and Jibo Qian

The Two Classic Studies on Ancient Chinese Bibliography translated into English here are A General Survey of Ancient Chinese Bibliography and General Discourses on Ancient Chinese Bibliography. A General Survey of Ancient Chinese Bibliography focuses on textual research and studies of ancient Chinese book editions, marking China's first monograph on edition bibliography of the modern era. Completed in 1930, the book falls into four sections: Provenance, History, Essential Readings and Epilogue. General Discourses on Ancient Chinese Bibliography clarifies the definitions of essential edition studies terms like "editions" and "fine editions" and traces the history of edition evolution from Tang and Five Dynasities through to the Qing dynasty. It also explores different types of editions, including kerchief-box editions, movable type editions, polychrome printed editions, book and handkerchief editions, manuscript copies, authorial drafts, collated editions, editions of Buddhist scriptures as well as editions of the Daoist canon. Finally, methodologies of edition authentication are offered for probing into edition studies further.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0HCLMKV73
• ISBN13: 9798190305722
• Release Date: August 2026
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 372 Pages
• Weight: 1.09 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 9.0"