Chemin de fer

1927 · 172731 — Likely Beijing: Jinghan tielu guanli ju before 1927. From bustling Beijing to historic Hankow First edition first printing of this guide to the towns and counties traversed by the Peking-Hankow railroad China's first long-distance railway line and the lifeblood of the country's modernizing economy. Aimed at the armchair traveller and tourist alike the parts discuss scenery local customs important historical events and matters of cultural interest The Peking to Hankow railway was built as a co-operative venture between the Imperial Chinese Railway Company and the Belgian China Railway Survey Company. The German engineer Heinrich Hildebrand was engaged to survey the 1500-mile route and in June 1898 the contract was awarded to a Belgian syndicate. Bonds worth 112 million Francs were issued to French investors to raise the necessary finance. Construction began at both ends of the line and progressed at a rate of 500 metres per day. The first trains began to run on sections of the track in 1901 and in 1902 the Empress Dowager Cixi made her triumphant return to the capital using part of the line. Four years later construction was finally completed. An engineering triumph the project facilitated unprecedented levels of commercial and leisure travel between north and central China. The title evokes the long history of the Beijing and Hankow regions by referring to them as "Yan" and "Chu" the names of their equivalent Zhou dynasty states. This guide was issued the Peking-Hankow Railway Administration Chinese: Jinghan tielu guanli ju. In 1927 Chiang Kai-Shek's government established its capital at Nanjing and the name of the route was changed to "Beiping-Hankow Railway" providing a terminus ante quem for the date of publication. Copies are recorded at Berkeley Chicago Harvard Princeton Columbia Stanford the University of Hong Kong and Bukkyo. 20 parts in 8 vols octavo 253 x 149 mm. Original brown paper wrappers white thread xianzhuang stitching front covers lettered in black. With original blue cloth folding case contemporary manuscript title label bone toggles. Contemporary Beijing bookseller's ink stamp on final page of first volume contemporary red ink stamp on rear wrapper of same volume. Covers with a few small closed tears and chips rear wrapper of volume I soiled contents toned a few leaves browned. A near-fine copy in like case. hardcover