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Historic archive of materials sent by Sun Yat-sen to journalist Thomas H. Reid, editor-in-chief of the China Mail, including an ALS enclosing a manuscript translation of a manifesto of the Chinese Republic, a signed photograph, and a signed copy of his autobiographical book Kidnapped in London. Includes:
- ALS signed "Sun Yat Sen," one page, 7.75 x 9.75, September 25, 1908. In full: "Herewith I send you an English translation of a proclamation of the Chinese people and an English and French translation of a notice to foreign powers. I must remind you that these documents are still a secret thing and request you not to print them in the same form in any paper, but you may take out any idea from them as you like. I cannot furnish you a copy of our whole plan in Chinese for I only possess one copy at present."
Includes the referenced English translation, a ten-page manuscript headed "Proclamation," beginning: "We, in accordance with the Decree and Principle of the Military Government, hereby proclaim that the Citizen Army rose and established the present Military Government in order to fight for the cause of restoring our father’s country of four thousand years old, by wiping away the…desecration for the past three centuries, and consequently, of promoting the general happiness and blessing of our four hundred millions…Since China was established, China is 'China for the Chinese'; and when there were occasional invasions and usurpations by some barbarian hordes, our Ancestors were brave enough to drive them out, and to inherit it to the posterity in the…glory of 'China for the Chinese.' Every one who has the Han blood in his veins must know this. Now it is to follow the brave examples for our Ancestors, that we the descendants of the Han race rise up in a band of volunteers to expel the barbarian usurpers. This is for Righteousness's sake. This is for Humanity's sake." The proclamation goes on to outline a plan for establishing a military government with the goals of "expelling the Manchu usurpers," "Restoring the China," "Establishing a Republic," and "Equalizing the Land Right." These 'principles of the people' formed the basis of Sun Yat-sen's political ideology and remain an enduring, influential aspect of his legacy.
Also includes the printed notices in English and French, addressed "To All Friendly Nations," explaining that they are "now waging war against the Manchu Government for the purpose of shaking off the yoke of the Tartar conqueror by overthrowing the present corrupt state of autocracy and establishing a republic in its place." At the same time, in the interest of "maintaining the peace of the world and of promoting the happiness of mankind," they pledge to honor existing international agreements made by the Manchu government.
- Rare matte-finish 3.25 x 4.75 portrait of Sun Yat-sen in a head-and-shoulders pose, affixed to its original 6 x 8 mount, signed and inscribed across the top of the mount in bold ink, "To Mr. Thos. H. Reid, With compliments of Sun Yat Sen." Gilt-stamped on the mount by photographer Koon Sun of Singapore, and accompanied by a partial glassine sleeve imprinted with the studio's logo and address.
- Extremely rare first edition of Kidnapped in London by Sun Yat-Sen. Bristol: J. W. Arrowsmith, 1897. Softcover, 5 x 7.25, 134 pages. Signed and inscribed on the title page in ink, "Mr. Reid, With Sun's compliments." While living in exile in 1896, Sun Yat-sen was detained at the Chinese Legation in London, where the Chinese Imperial secret service planned to smuggle him back to China to execute him for his revolutionary activities. An English physician, James Cantlie, played a major role in obtaining his release, leading a media campaign in The Times and The Globe. Sun went on to write this 1897 book about his detention, Kidnapped in London.
In the years that followed, Sun Yat-sen oversaw and instigated a string of failed revolutionary attempts to overthrow the Qing dynasty, operating largely from abroad. In 1908, Sun Yat-sen was attempting to organize revolutionary activities by focusing on uniting disparate anti-Manchu groups under the Tongmenghui (United League). Operating mainly from Southeast Asia and Japan, he worked to raise funds, spread republican ideals, and plan uprisings in China. Although several attempts that year were unsuccessful, Sun’s persistence helped maintain revolutionary momentum and laid the groundwork for the eventual Xinhai Revolution of 1911.
In overall good to fine condition, with losses to the photograph's glassine sleeve, separations along the spine and wrappers of the book, a large tear to the front cover (passing from the spine to the "A" in "Kidnapped," some moderate soiling and creasing to wrappers, and some dampstaining to the bottom of the textblock. All housed together in a beautiful gilt-titled red morocco clamshell case.
