Description
Book Synopsis‘The World in Miniature’ was a popular series of illustrated, pocket-sized books. The series was originally produced by Rudolph Ackermann, a renowned London bookseller and publisher in the early nineteenth century. The series continued for several years from its launch in 1821 and was completed in 43 volumes. The series introduced a Western readership to the manners, character, customs, fashion, history, religion etc. of peoples from distant lands.
This collection includes a facsimile reprint of seven volumes covering Asiatic and Pacific countries: Japan, China, the Philippines, Indonesia, Hawaii, the Micronesian/Polynesian islands, and New Zealand.
Frederic Shoberl, the editor and author of the original series, compiled his volumes by collecting information from the latest contemporary travel writing. He intended to provide objective views of, and facts on, the cultures of the countries covered by the series. However, the (mis)representations in each book often reflected exotic Western dreams of ‘the East’. Indeed, the distorted images of ‘undeveloped’ societies in some of the colour plates are a rich source of visual information for those studying the history of Orientalism.
Table of ContentsVolume 1
Japan: containing illustrations of the character, manners, customs, religion, dress, amusements, commerce, agriculture, etc. of the people of that empire
(The world in miniature / edited by Frederic Shoberl)
Printed for R. Ackermann, 1823
c. 348 pp. incl. 20 colour plates
Contents: Japanese Islands / Persons of the Japanese / Form of Government / The Dairi, or Spiritual Emperor / Dress of Both Sexes / Houses and Furniture / Marriage / Japanese Language / State of the Roads, Modes of Travelling / Public Festivals and Amusements / Agriculture / Fisheries / Foreigners / Islands of Yesso and Sagaleen, etc.
Volumes 2 and 3
China: containing illustrations of the manners, customs, character, and costumes of the people of the Empire
(The world in miniature / edited by Frederic Shoberl)
Printed for R. Ackermann, [1823]
v. 1: c. 275 pp. incl. 15 colour plates
v. 2: c. 304 pp. incl. 15 colour plates
Contents: Mandarin / A Lady of Distinction / Imperial Sedan-Bearer / A Female Bonze / A Watchman / A Matchlock Soldier / An Infantry Soldier / Juggler / A Chinese with Umbrella / Confectioner / Seamstress / Waterman / Itinerant Fruit-Seller / Fruit Stall / A Bookseller’s Stall / An Itinerant Flower-Seller / Pedlar / Dog-Seller / Fisherman / Countryman with a Cloak of Rice Straw / Barber / Viper-Seller / Pigeon-Seller / Puppet-Show /The Miao-Tse / Chinese Mahometans / Eleuth Tartar / Corean Mandarin / Filial Respect of the Chinese / Mourning / Funeral, etc.
VolumeS 4 and 5
The Asiatic islands and New Holland: being a description of the manners, customs, character, and state of society of the various tribes by which they are inhabited
(The world in miniature / edited by Frederic Shoberl)
Printed for R. Ackermann, [1824]
v. 1: c. 338 pp. incl. 14 colour plates
v. 2: c. 324 pp. incl. 12 colour plates
Contents: The Philippine Islands / The Marian Islands / Sumatra / Engano / The Nassau or Poggis Islndas / Poulo Nias / Nicoabar Islands / The Andaman Islands / Java / Bali / Timor / Savu / Rottie / Ombay / Borneo / Celebes / Amboyna / Rawak / Waigioo / New Guinea / New Holland / Van Diemen’s Land
Volumes 6 and 7
South Sea Islands: being a description of the manners, customs, character, religion, and state of society among the various tribes scattered over the Great Ocean, called the Pacific, or the South Sea
(The world in miniature / edited by Frederic Shoberl)
Printed for R. Ackermann, [1824]
v. 1: c. 362 pp. incl. 11 colour plates
v. 2: c. 362 pp. incl. 15 colour plates
Contents: The Friendly Islands / Sandwich Islands / The Marquesas / Easter Island / Society Islands / The Feejee Islands / New Zealand / Radack Islands / The Caroline Islands / New Caledonia / The New Hebrides / Pitcairn’s Island
