1st Rubbing Chinese Calligraphy Book 施芳谷壽序 by Qian Nanyuan 錢南園

Description

1
st
Rubbing Chinese Calligraphy
施芳谷壽序
by Qian Nanyuan
錢南園
;
Up for sale is the calligraphy book titled
施芳谷壽序
by Qian Nanyuan, published in Taiwan by
台灣啟明書局
and dated 1953. The book in its first rubbing (
初拓
)
features a calligraphy reproduction originally inscribed by
錢南園
in the 1700's.
Qian Feng (
錢灃
), also known as Qian Nanyuan (
錢南園
, 1740-1795), was a political figure famous in fighting and solving the corruption cases of the governors during the Qianlong period in the Qing Dynasty. As a master in Chinese painting and calligraphy,
錢南園
was especially recognized in his following of Yan Zhenqing's (
顏真卿
, 709-785) calligraphy style who was a master calligrapher in the Tang Dynasty whose calligraphy emphasizing strength, boldness and grandness brought Chinese calligraphy to a new realm.
The rubbing was made from the owner of the Cuifen Pavilion's (
粹芬閣
) collection on calligraphy books, namely, Mr. Shen Zhifang (
沈知方
, 1883-1939 ) who was a famed publisher as the founder of
世界書局
in 1917 and bibliophile as a collector of many old, rare and good books, including
宋元刊本
15
種，抄本
77
種， 明清本
908
種，
22,828
卷，
10,297
冊
in his
《粹芬閣珍藏善本書目》
.
There is a Preface in this book written by Mr. Gao Hongjin (
高鴻縉
, 1892-1963), who was a famed paleographer, educator and calligrapher.
With a softcover, the calligraphy book has totally 288 Chinese characters displayed in the “Three Character Classic” (
三字經
)
form in the 48 pages. Therefore, there are totally 96 meaningful messages. This kind of style is much different from another version that is easily found on internet to have 82 pages with the same title “
施芳谷壽序
”, indicating that
錢南園
had ever inscribed two versions under the same title, with one version longer and complete, another one shorter and succinct.
All the images posted are from scan for this shorter version copy book, which is also characterized to have many stamp seals, appearing on the softcover, flyleaf and the left side of every two pages with the reproduced calligraphy. It is
a thread-bound book, a method popular in use since the Ming Dynasty to have perforation at the edge of the page and to fix the page through the four or five-pin eye-stitching by the thread.
Measures: 6” wide x 8 5/8” long x 3/8” thick. Condition: Very good for the reproduced calligraphy part, with mild tear and wear to the softcover which is strengthened by scotch tape, with mild threads and bag patches disconnected, consistent with age and use. With previous owner’s sign on the softcover.
Shipment
: Our items
can be shipped worldwide. Generally, we use FedEx or USPS for all US domestic and USPS for all international shipment. The shipping fee taken by Postal Service is an estimate based on the size, weight and insurance of the item. If in case, there is an overtaking amount, we will be happy to return the balance per the postage receipt through PayPal.
Please note, for customers in Connecticut, a 6.35% tax will be collected.
Return
: We try our best to describe the posted items precisely and accurately, pointing out any imperfections. We generally, therefore, do not accept the return, unless the photos posted do not match the items or the items are damaged in shipping. Upon receiving the damaged item, the buyer must keep the original packaging and condition and contact us within 24 hours of delivery.
Please contact us, we are happy to answer any questions and strive for 100% customer satisfaction. Please check our other posted items as well. Your satisfaction and feedback is important to us.