蔣彝《兒時瑣憶》(1952) A Chinese Childhood by Chiang Yee (1952) – First American Edition, The John Day Company

【內容簡介 / Synopsis】

 A Chinese Childhood is a poignant autobiographical memoir by the renowned artist and writer Chiang Yee, famously known as "The Silent Traveller." In this work, Chiang turns his observational gaze inward to his own formative years in Kiu-kiang. The narrative explores his life within a large, traditional household of over thirty people, spanning the ages of five to fifteen. It captures the rhythm of daily life, family rituals, and the unfolding of Chinese traditions during a period of historical transition, offering an intimate look at the world that shaped one of China's most beloved cultural ambassadors.

 《兒時瑣憶》是著名藝術家與作家蔣彝（以「沈默的旅行者」聞名）所著的一部深刻動人的自傳回憶錄。在這部作品中，蔣彝將他細膩的觀察力轉向自己童年在九江的成長歲月。敘述探索了他在一個擁有超過三十人的大家庭中的生活（五歲至十五歲），記錄了日常生活節奏、家族儀式，以及歷史轉折時期中國傳統的樣貌，為讀者提供了窺探這位深具影響力的文化使者成長世界的窗口。

【歷史背景與重要性 / Historical Background & Significance】

 Originally published in England in 1940, this 1952 American edition by The John Day Company includes a concluding chapter written specifically for this publication. The book is celebrated for its roughly 100 pen-and-ink illustrations and full-color plates, which Chiang Yee considered among his best work. Beyond the narrative, the book features a rare genealogical chart of the Chiang family for four generations, making it an invaluable primary source for historians of 20th-century Chinese family structures and cultural life.

 本書最初於 1940 年在英國出版，此 1952 年由約翰·戴公司（The John Day Company）發行的美國版，收錄了為該版本特別撰寫的結尾章節。本書以收錄近一百幅鋼筆插畫與全彩插圖而聞名，蔣彝視其為個人最佳創作之一。除了文字敘述，書中還附有一份蔣氏家族四代的族譜圖，這使其成為研究 20 世紀中國家庭結構與文化生活的珍貴第一手史料。

【書本狀態 / Condition Report】

 This 1952 First American Edition remains in vintage condition. The book features the original dust jacket, which shows age-related wear, and includes the genealogical chart on the front endpaper. The interior content, including the delicate illustrations of hairstyles and family portraits, is well-preserved, reflecting the high production quality of the era.

 此為 1952 年美國初版，保存狀況具備濃厚年代感。本書保留了原始書衣（帶有歲月磨損痕跡），並包含前環襯上的家族族譜圖。書內內容，包括精緻的髮型插圖與家族肖像，皆保存良好，展現了當時的高品質印刷工藝。