EIGHTY FIVE YEARS OF THE SHANGHAI VOLUNTEER CORPS

Shanghai: The Cosmopolitan Press, [1938]. Oblong folio size, 284 pp.

The Shanghai Volunteer Corps ("S.V.C.") was established in 1853 to provide defence for the (foreign) settlement, with the first casualty being John Adolphus Brine (1830-1854) during the Battle of Muddy Flat. This volume, issued to commemorate eight-five years of service, gives an extensive history of the S.V.C., beginning with its establishment in April of 1853, through 1937, at which time it consisted of 213 officers and 1777 "other ranks". In addition, the individual companies each have their own section. The volume is replete with reproductions of photographs of officers and companies, parades, places, reunion dinners, the men at various sports, vintage advertisements, and much more. Scarce in the online marketplace, as of this writing we see only two other copies online, Auction records shows seven copies ever offered and sold.

Hardbound with replicated alligator skin over boards, stamped onto the front cover is an eight-pointed star consisting of gold rays in the middle of which is the insignia of the S.V.C. protected by a piece of plastic, endpapers of heavy olive-green paper, chromolithographed half-title and title page (this with an elaborate asian-themed border) both in black, gold and red; binding oblong folio size (12 1/4" by 9 1/8"),

Comes with an elope postmarked from Shanghai. Postmarked April 21, 1937.

First of all, the enclosing box is in terrible condition. There is wear and tear along the spine and edges due to the exterior of the book becoming brittle. (See photos). Otherwise the pages and clean, the binding is tight.

All reasonable offers will be considered.