Chinese herbal and pharmacopoeia--Shenwei.

A fragment of 70 double-leaves, of the books 20 and 21, bound in one volume, folio (370 x 290mm.), 33 wood-engraved illustrations, the leaves mounted on western paper, eighteenth-century Dutch calf, occasional worming or other wear with slight loss, one leaf with piece torn away with loss

Julius Heinrich Klaproth (1783-1835), manuscript note on front paste-down noting the title and author of the work

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

A substantial fragment of the oldest printed Chinese pharmacopoeia still extant, deriving from the so-called "Zhengho" edition, published under the Jin dynasty, from the library of famous German orientalist Julius Heinrich Klaproth.

"Dauguan benacao" is the title given to the version printed from the text of a manuscript of the Tang period, the Zhenglei benacao by Shenwei. The complete work comprises 31 books with a preface by Yisheng.

No copy of the first printed edition of 1108 has survived. The studies made from the numerous reprints show the complexity of the relationship between the various editions. Internal evidence found in this fragment suggests that it was printed in the Jin dynasty (1115-1277), and possibly around 1116.

Books 20 and 21 of the work, included in this fragment, are devoted to fish and insects.