西漢帛畫 Xi Han Bo Hua (Western Han Dynasty Silk Painting)

北京 (Beijing): 文物出版社 Wen wu chu ban she (Cultural Relics Press), 1972. Ex-Library, Limited first edition. Hardcover. g+ to near fine. 1/353. Elephant Folio (20 1/2 x 15 1/2"). 8pp. 12 plates. Original illustrated brown board portfolio with reverse calligraphy on red label of cover. Illustrated title page. This is #84 of a limited edition of 353 copies. The work is a visual analysis, containing twelve color offset photographic reproductions of a beautiful silk funerary robe, discovered on April 9, 1972, inside a 2,100 year old tomb from the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - 24 AD) at Mawangtui, on the outskirts of Changsha City, Hunan province, in Central (truncated) China. It was the most valuable find among the more than one thousand relics discovered in the tomb, well preserved with colors fresh and not faded. Remarkable work in content and technique surpassing anything previously discovered from this period. An elaborate description of the piece with ample historical context laid in, typed on three pages w/o claim of authorship. Text in Chinese with 4 page mimeographed "Explanation" in English.

Five inch crack at tail of back joint of the spine. Minor impressions from handwriting and some rubbing of cover. Inside cover with Ex Libris. Some age toning of text pages along edges. Portfolio in overall good+, text pages in very good, plates in near fine condition. (Inventory #: 41271)