PANKING (trans.). Chinese knights, novel of manners and adve - Lot 172

PANKING (trans.). Chinese knights, novel of manners and adventure. Pe'kin, La "Politique de Pe'kin", 1922. In-8 folded and shaped Chinese-style, (8)-220 p., 25 full-page black illustrations in text, publisher's soft tan basane, ornate smooth spine, gilt title and ideograms on upper board, illustrated cover preserved (worn binding, sporadic russeting). First edition in French; translation from Chinese by Panking, who states: "This novel is extracted and translated from the Choei Hou, one of the most famous by Chi Nai-an (13th century). This work enjoyed and still enjoys great popularity in China, where it is read and loved not only by the literate class, but also by the working class. It's the story of a perfectly-organized band of brigands operating under the reign of Emperor Hoei-Tchung of the Song, at a time when that dynasty was falling into decadence.