The Chinese Bell Murders by Robert van Gulik
VAN GULIK, Robert. The Chinese Bell Murders: Three Cases Solved by Judge Dee – Uncorrected Proof Copy. London, Michael Joseph, 1958.
Uncorrected proof of the first edition of Van Gulik’s second Judge Dee title, with exquisite illustrations by the author.
‘I at last found time to devote myself entirely to my favourite pastime, namely collecting material on the history of crime and detection…’.
The Chinese Bell Murders comprises three mysteries featuring the semi-fictional character Judge Dee, loosely inspired by the Tang magistrate and statesman Di Renjie (630-700). Originally aimed at a Japanese or Chinese readership, it eventually saw publication in English.
Robert van Gulik was a Dutch orientalist and diplomat.
Octavo, pp. 288, with 15 plates drawn by the author in Chinese style; slightly worn but internally very good; original cream wrappers printed in black to front cover and spine, label ‘PROOF COPY for inspection … March 3rd 1958’ glued to front wrapper (covers and spine slightly worn and creased, lightly soiled, titles on front cover partly retraced with pen); front cover stamped ‘17 FEB 1958’.