Kaiserliche chinesische Mission in Europa im Jahr... Lot n° 269

China Imperial Chinese mission to Europe in 1866. Collection of three original photographs, a handwritten calligraphic poem in Chinese by Chief Envoy Binchun and an original drawing. Contains three carte-de-visite portrait photographs (10.3 x 6.2 cm) by the Amsterdam photographer H. C. Donk, showing three of the Chinese delegates, with handwritten captions. Captions. The photographs spot-mounted on a support together with a photograph of the poem on a printed card with a Dutch and English translation, produced by F. Günst in Amsterdam. The calligraphic poem by Binchun about the mission's visit to the Netherlands from June 25 to July 1, 1866 on a folded sheet (approx. 40 x 30.5 cm). Furthermore, an original ink drawing of a Chinese mandarin, signed in Chinese and with an English handwritten inscription "London - 1851". - Although Qing China was still quite strong, in 1860 it did not have the necessary means to resist the demands of the Western powers. The Chinese military focused on problems inside the country rather than on the coasts, which meant that the allied British and French forces were able to defeat the Qing army. China was forced not only to recognize the European powers as equals, but also to adapt to European forms of diplomacy. The Han bannerman and former magistrate Binchun (1804-1871) led the fact-finding mission to Europe requested by Zongli Yamen, the government body responsible for foreign policy. Binchun was aware of the historic nature of his journey and modeled his diplomatic appearance on that of great envoys. He was accompanied on the seven-month trip by three Chinese foreign language students, his son, the Englishman Edward Bowra and the Frenchman Emile Dechamps, who acted as interpreters and tour guides. During their stay in the Netherlands, their constant companion was the civil engineer J. F. W. Conrad (1825-1902), to whom the poem and the photographs were presented. Although this first mission was an exploratory trip with no clear status, the group met several heads of state, including Queen Victoria. - With slight signs of age and wear. Overall well preserved. Imperial Chinese mission to Europe in 1866. Collection of contemporary photographs, a manuscript calligraphic poem in Chinese by the mission's chief envoy Binchun, all related to their visit of the Netherlands from 25 June through 1 July 1866, and an original drawing. - Three carte-de-visite portrait photographs by the Amsterdam photographer H. C. Donk, showing 3 of the Chinese delegates, with manuscript captions on mounts. One photograph of the poem pasted onto a printed porcelain card, including a Dutch and English translation, manufactured by F. Günst in Amsterdam. The original Chinese calligraphic poem by Binchun on a folded sheet (ca 400 x 305 mm) and an original ink drawing of a Chinese mandarin signed in Chinese and with an English manuscript caption "London, 1851". - Qing-China, although still rather strong, did not possess in 1860 the necessary means to deny the demands of the Western powers since it was under pressure from all sides. During the early years of the 19th century, Chinese military was concentrated in internal areas rather than at the coasts, which meant that the allied British and French troops were this time able to defeat the Qing army. China was forced not only to recognize the European powers as equal, but also to adapt to European forms of diplomacy. After 1860 this became particularly important, when the most-favored nation clause was eliminated from the treaties with Beijing. Ostensibly an investigation tour demanded by the Zongli Yamen, the government body in charge of foreign policy, was headed by the Han bannerman and former magistrate Binchun (1804-1871). Aware of the historic nature of his journey, Binchun crafted his diplomatic persona after that of the great envoys of the Han. He was accompanied by 3 Chinese foreign language students, his son and with the Englishman Edward Bowra and the Frenchman Emile de de Champs acting as interpreters and tour managers, the group traveled Europe for seven months. During the sojourn in the Netherlands their constant companion was the civil engineer J. F. W. Conrad (1825-1902), to whom the poem and the photographs had been presented. Although this first mission was exploratory and had not a clear status, the party met several heads of states, including Queen Victoria. - With slight signs of age and wear. Overall in good condition. * This work is taxed. The hammer price is subject to a 23.95% surcharge and the final invoice amount to 7% (books only) or 19% VAT in the