Rickshaw Boy by Lau Shaw, Illustrated by Cyrus LeRoy Baldridge (Book-of-the-Month Club Edition), 1945. 🇨🇳📜🚲

1. Introduction 📜🔍

This is a historically significant Book-of-the-Month Club edition of Rickshaw Boy, a landmark of modern Chinese literature by the acclaimed author Lau Shaw.

Published in 1945, this volume is a sought-after collectible from a major era of American publishing. It is a one-of-a-kind item, a poignant tale of struggle and endurance in pre-revolutionary Peking, and its exceptional quality and status as a classic make it a premier addition to any serious collection.

2. About the Book 📖✍️✨

Rickshaw Boy is a powerful novel that tells the story of Happy Boy, an honest and hardworking rickshaw puller in Peking who dreams of buying his own rickshaw.

The book chronicles his struggle against poverty, the corruption of the city, and the ever-present threat of violence. The novel is celebrated for its vivid descriptions of Peking and its exploration of themes of social injustice, human dignity, and the search for a better life. It is a masterfully written work that showcases the author's ability to create a compelling and unforgettable narrative.

3. About the Artist/Author/Maker ✍️🏛️

Lau Shaw (1899-1966), a respected Chinese writer, was a pioneer of modern Chinese literature. He attended Peking's famous university and was later a visiting lecturer at Oxford University. The book was translated by Evan King, an American who lived in China and was fluent in the language. The illustrations were done by Cyrus LeRoy Baldridge, an acclaimed American artist and illustrator who was known for his beautiful and evocative artwork. The collaboration between these three men produced a book that was a cultural bridge between China and the United States.

4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜

Published in 1945, this book appeared at a pivotal moment in American history, on the cusp of the post-World War II era. The book's themes of poverty and social injustice resonated with a public that was grappling with the aftermath of the Depression and the trauma of the war. Its publication in 1945 also coincided with a growing American interest in China, a country that had been an ally in the war. The book is a valuable cultural touchstone that provides a clear window into the social and political anxieties of the era.

5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️

This book is a perfect fit for a collector of early 20th-century literature, a fan of modern Chinese fiction, or a bibliophile specializing in early works from Reynal & Hitchcock. Its status as a Book-of-the-Month Club edition makes it a non-replicable item for a collection focused on the evolution of modern literature.

6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️

This edition of Rickshaw Boy is a rare and highly sought-after volume from the Book-of-the-Month Club. Its value is derived from its status as a classic work of modern Chinese literature and the scarcity of first editions in good condition. The book’s dust jacket is a key component of its value, as many copies from this period were lost.

7. Condition 🔎📚✨

This book is in well-preserved condition, showing signs of wear and age. The dust jacket shows some shelf wear and a few small tears along the edges. The hardcovers underneath the jacket are in good shape. The pages are clean, and the binding is tight. A first edition in this state is a testament to the care and preservation it has received over the years.

8. Translation of Inscriptions/Ephemera (Conditional) ✍️📜🔤

This book does not contain any personal inscriptions, which is often desirable for a collectible of this type. Its value is derived from its intrinsic quality and a perfect state of preservation, exactly as it was intended to be received by the original reader.

9. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

• The book's illustrator, Cyrus LeRoy Baldridge, was an acclaimed American artist and illustrator who was known for his beautiful and evocative artwork.

• The book was published in 1945, a year that marked the end of World War II and the beginning of a new era of American publishing.

• The book's title page drawing was done by Dick Dodge, a noted American illustrator who worked on covers for publications ranging from children's books to classical music LPs.

• The book's status as a Book-of-the-Month Club edition makes it a non-replicable item for a collection focused on the evolution of modern literature.

10. Supporting Information 🏷️📦💰

• Title: Rickshaw Boy

• Author: Lau Shaw

• Illustrator: Cyrus LeRoy Baldridge

• Year: 1945

• Publisher: Reynal & Hitchcock

• Place of Origin: New York, New York, USA

• Format: Hardcover with dust jacket

• Edition: Book-of-the-Month Club Edition

• Rarity: Rare