Many of the photographs in this volume, the first comprehensive history of early photography in China, are published for the first time. Dating from 1842 they often offer unique insights into 19th-century Chinese life and some of the personalities and crucial events of the time, including the Taiping Rebellion 1850-64, and the Second Opium War 1856-60. Details are given of foreign photographers who after the 1840s set up many commercial studios throughout the country. Examples are given of their portraits, commercial advertisements and book illustrations and of newspaper articles which incorporate photographs taken and developed by various methods in China and then published throughout the world. With 160 photographs, chronology to 1860; index of photographers in China 1842-60; bibliography; details of early stereoviews of China; and biographical notes of three early photographers.