2nd Edition (Type A2b - c1894)

 
Condition. The book is in Very Good condition. It is free of staining, foxing or markings. There are minor edge tears and small splits (1 inch or less)n at the folded edged but all pages are unbroken at the folded edge. The spine covering is approximately 75% complete. The last folded page (back cover and colophon page) is misfolded at the folded edge and creased.

 
Hasegawa, T. (Publisher)
Little, Archibald (translator):
The Rat's Plaint; An Old Legend. Translated from the Original Chinese by Archibald Little, F.R.G.S. Tokyo 1892, published by T. Hasegawa, Tokyo (No. 10 "Siyoshicho" Hiyoshi-cho), sold by Kelly & Walsh, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Yokohama & Singapore, Second Edition, c1894, horizontal format, 12mo (5 7/8 x 7 3/4 in - 15 x 19.6 cm), crepe paper in folded sheets, spine covered, silk ties, 17 folded pages, 34 pp (including covers). Translated from Chinese to English by Archibald Little.

Two later editions are reported. Sharf notes a "Second Edition" and a "Third Edition." Thus far I have personally examined several slightly different books with "Second Edition" stated on the front cover. These are:

• Type A. Stated "Second Edition" with a colophon showing the 10 Hiyoshi-cho Hasegawa address. The cover picture is entirely different from the first edition. The title on the front cover reads "The Rat' Plaint, Second Edition." The colophon is the same as found in the first edition. While the book probably can not be precisely dated by the colophon, it is believed to have been published in 1894. The text printer is Hirose Yasushichi, Seishi Bunsha, 1 Kabuto-cho, Tokyo (same as in the first edition). Several minor variations have been noted in the Type A books.
• On the Type A1 book there is no text or inscription under the image on the page that follows the preface page. Further, there is no illustration on the page facing the inside back cover.

• On the Type A2a book the illustration following the preface has the following inscription at the bottom middle: "Translated from the Original Chinese by Archibald Little, F.R.G.S." Further, there is a color illustration on the page facing the inside back cover.

• The Type A2b book is the same as the Type A2a but "Whilst he sleeps the Cat springs on the Artist's Rats!" has been added to the front cover (as in the Type B book, below).

• Type B. Stated "Second Edition" with a colophon showing the 38 Honmura-cho Hasegawa address. Same cover as above (Type A) except the left hand corner of the front cover reads: "Whilst he sleeps the Cat springs on the Artist's Rats!" The colophon contains the same dates as in the first edition (ie 1891). However, the address ("38 Yotsuya, Hommura") puts the publication at ca 1904. The reference to Kelly & Walsh is not present in this book. The text printer is Shibata Ki-ichi, 1 Takekawa-cho, Kyobashi-ku, Tokyo. The colophon does not state the woodblock printer. This may be the book Sharf is referring to as a "Third Edition." Sharf notes that the Third edition was printed by a different woodblock printer. The illustration following the preface does not have the inscription: "Translated from the Original Chinese by Archibald Little, F.R.G.S." which is found on the Type A book.

I have not personally confirmed a "Third Edition."

Of the several minor variations of the "Second Printing," I call this Type A2b. For more information on the First Edition and Second Editions, click here.

2nd Edition, Type A2b

10 Hiyoshi-cho (Siyoshicho) Hasegawa Address

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2nd Edition - Type A2b (Page on the Right - Inscription at Bottom Middle)

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2nd Edition, Type A2b (Illustration on left page)

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Colophon - 2nd Edition, Type A2b

Printed: Meiji 24 (1891).11.29
Published: Meiji 24 (1891).12.1
Hasegawa Address: 10 Hiyoshi-cho (Siyoshicho), Tokyo
Text Printer: Hirose Yasushichi, Seishi Bunsha, 1 Kabuto-cho, Tokyo