Shelfmark
MS 379
Title
Chinese letter [manuscript]
Publication, distribution, etc.
China, [1600-1700?]
Physical description
[1] leaf ; 181 x 81 mm.
Language
Written in traditional Chinese.
Note
Material: laid paper with vertical chain-lines about 1 cm from one another. No watermarks.
Note
Format: single sheet, folded in concertina style.
Note
Dimensions: 181 x 81 mm (folded) 181 x 850 mm (unfolded).
Note
Number of leaves: folded 10 times.
Note
Accompanying material: one letter regarding this manuscript's contents (see Summary Note) written by Robert K. Douglas on headed paper of the Department of Oriental Printed Books and Manuscripts of the British Museum. It is dated 18 March 1905. One envelope with 20th-century ms. notes (see Provenance Note).
Note
Layout: text enclosed in red printed squares of 8 columns each, which lines are traced in red.
Summary, etc.
Scope and content: This is an anonymous letter addressed to an equally anonymous recipient. It references a purchase of a house, and a balance of Eight Taels which seems to have been left outstanding. The writer says that he enclosed his card and may have done so, but it is no longer there.
Cite as
Eton College, MS 379
Provenance
Origin: China.
Provenance
Provenance: two stamps of Richard Topham, whose collection was donated to Eton College in 1736. The note on accompanying envelope, dated March 1972, reports that the "MS was put in its place there [former ECL shelfmark] after being recovered from inside the key to the plan of Peking". This probably refers to ECL MS 376, a Chinese atlas also from the Topham collection. Former ECL shelfmarks: Bn.17 no.1 (written on letter) Bn.16 (in Topham collection catalogue, p. 35).
Added entry--name
Topham, Richard, 1671 - 1730 former owner.
Added entry--place
China.
Language code
chi
Identifier
B52989