China at Work; An Illustrated Record of the Primitive Industries of China's Masses [etc.]

Doylestown PA, Bucks County Historical Society [and] New York John Day, 1937, First Edition. hardcover. of China's masses, whose life is toil, and thus an account of Chinese Civilization." This book is the result of an expedition begun in 1921 which was planned, equipped and directed by Henry Chapman Mercer. With 535 numbered illustrations. -- First edition, first printing, this is the original 1937 edition. -- Hardcover, 8.5x11 inches. Condition: very good minus (spine letters dulled). -- Henry Mercer famously collected American tools and displayed them in his poured-concrete museum. This book shows the same attention to early Chinese industry such as animal power mills, utilization of soy beans, straw footgear, bamboo worker's saw, boat building, etc. etc.