【作者親簽 】1926 年首版《消失的帝國》The Vanished Empire by B. L. Putnam Weale, Rare Edinburgh-Printed Association Copy with Author’s initial signature

｜內容簡介 (Introduction)

 本書由知名在華觀察家 B. L. Putnam Weale（本名 Bertram Lenox Simpson）撰寫，於 1926 年 7 月在北京定稿。此版本由愛丁堡（Edinburgh）權威出版社印製，展現了當時英國精湛的出版工藝。書中詳盡剖析了帝制崩塌後，中國在軍閥混戰時期面臨的劇烈社會與政治變遷，是研究近代中國史的重要文獻。

 Authored by the renowned observer B. L. Putnam Weale (Bertram Lenox Simpson) and finalized in Peking in July 1926, this volume was printed in Edinburgh, reflecting the high standards of British publishing at the time. It offers a profound analysis of the tumultuous political and social transformations in China during the Warlord Era, serving as a primary source for historical research.

｜簽名與協會意義 (Association Copy Provenance)

 本書具備極高的史料與收藏價值，扉頁載有 1927 年 4 月 7 日的簽名題字「Violet H. Petersen」，下方並署有作者本人的縮寫「B. W.」。考量到作者筆名即為 B. L. Putnam Weale，且題字日期緊接於本書在北京面世之後，這極有可能是作者親筆贈書的珍貴證明，為此書增添了不可取代的故事性與溢價空間。

 This edition holds significant historical value, featuring an inscription dated April 7th, 1927, to "Violet H. Petersen," signed with the author’s initials, "B. W.". Given the author's pen name, B. L. Putnam Weale, and the proximity of the date to the book’s publication in Peking, this serves as a compelling association copy, offering unique provenance and narrative depth.

｜關於作者 (About the Author)

 作者 B. L. Putnam Weale 是一位傳奇的政治觀察家，曾深入北京政壇擔任外交顧問。他不僅親歷了清末至北伐的動盪，更透過其深刻的文字，成為當時西方世界理解中國政治的最重要媒介之一。

The author, B. L. Putnam Weale, was a legendary figure who served as a political advisor in the inner circles of Peking. He witnessed the upheaval from the late Qing dynasty to the Northern Expedition, becoming a pivotal voice for the Western world in understanding the complex politics of China at that time.

｜歷史背景與重要性 (Historical Significance)

 珍貴現場紀錄：扉頁照片紀錄了 1926 年 6 月 28 日於北京舉行的軍閥會議，包含張作霖、吳佩孚及張學良的珍貴影像。

 時代觀點：作者在書中探討了中國文明在面對外來影響與現代化壓力下的掙扎，並附有多幅當時珍貴的歷史地圖與插圖，如 18 世紀的中亞地圖與軍閥時期北京的局勢圖。

 Rare Contemporary Documentation: The frontispiece features a rare photograph of the meeting of Chinese war-lords in Peking on June 28, 1926, including Zhang Zuolin, Wu Peifu, and the young Zhang Xueliang.

 Historical Perspective: The author analyzes the struggle of Chinese civilization under foreign influence and modernization, supplemented by rare historical maps and illustrations, such as an 18th-century map of Central Asia and sketches of Peking during the warlord era.