Tientsin [Tianjin], Musée Hoang ho Pai ho, [1936]. Folio (30.9 x 23.0 cm). 42 pp.; numerous illustrations; one very large, double-folded map in two colours showing the itineraries of Licent's expeditions. Original pictorial wrappers.

The author's copy. Written by the French Jesuit trained as a natural historian, Émile Licent (1876-1952). "...He spent more than twenty-five years researching in Tianjin. His expeditions spread across various parts of Northern and Central China (including the provinces of Shandong, Hebei, Shanxi, Henan, Shaanxi, Gansu, Inner Mongolia and eastern part of the Tibetan Plateau). Upon his first arrival at Tianjin in 1914, he established the Musée Hoangho Paiho (it was known as the 'Beijiang Museum' among the Chinese), one of the earliest of its kind in China. The Museum survived the Second World War and changed its name to Tianjin Natural History Museum (TMNH) in 1952. He was a colleague of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin in conducting archaeological research in northern provinces of China in the 1920s...Nothing much is known about his life or religious activities in France before and after his stay in China." (Wikipedia). Vicent's autograph in the top margin of the front free endpaper. Small, round stamp "Archigymnas. Insulensis Cathol." (a gymnasium in Lille, France) on the front wrapper, which may suggest that he retreated to Lille after his stay in China. This work describes the museum he founded, and still exists. Wrappers slightly age-toned, front wrapper with a weak fold in lower outer corner, otherwise in excellent condition. Rare. We have never seen another copy.