Hexuli Tian Yan Lun 赫胥黎天演論 [Evolution and Ethics] “Pseudo-Lithographic” Edition. 富文書局, 1901.

“Pseudo-Lithographic” Edition: A Traditional Backlash Against New Technology

2 juan in one volume. Orig wrappers and stitching, large 8vo (25.6 × 15.2 cm). Woodblock-printed despite imprint stating “石印” (lithograph), 富文書局, 光緒辛丑年, 1901.

A very early and scarce edition of Tian Yan Lun, Yan Fu’s influential translation and reinterpretation of Thomas Henry Huxley’s Evolution and Ethics (1893). The work introduced evolutionary theory into late Qing intellectual discourse, reframing Huxley’s arguments into a broader narrative of national survival and social transformation. Yan Fu’s translation is well known not merely for transmitting Western scientific thought, but for articulating an interpretive framework that linked evolutionary competition to China’s political crisis, influencing reformist debates at the turn of the twentieth century.

Of particular note, this is a woodblock-printed copy masquerading as a lithographic edition—an exceptionally rare survival from the turbulent transition between traditional and modern printing in the late Qing. The imprint boldly claims “石印”, yet the book is unmistakably carved and printed from woodblocks.

This unusual hybrid reflects a broader cultural and technological moment: a traditional backlash against new technology. When lithography arrived in China, it did not instantly eclipse centuries-old woodblock craftsmanship. Instead, established workshops—backed by trained artisans and familiar production systems—continued to thrive, often reinterpreting or even competing with the new medium. This woodblock “pseudo-lithograph” stands as a striking material witness to that moment of resistance, adaptation, and creative persistence in China’s print culture.

Laid in is an original handwritten letter by Ye Zhenzong (葉振宗)—a late Qing scholar-official and public intellectual—providing contemporary commentary on the work and offering a direct glimpse into its early reception.

Original wrappers with light soiling and minor paper loss; occasional small red circular punctuation marks in the text; page corners slightly creased/cocked. A sound and complete copy.

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