First Book by Filippino American; Illustrated with His Photographs
The Philippine Islands
Publication: New York: Continental Publishing, 1899. First Edition.
Notes: The first book published by a Filipino-American. Lala offers a history of the Philippines based on first-hand research in the archives in Manila, a description of its main agricultural products (including hemp), and three chapters related to the recently ended Spanish-American War: "Struggle of the Filipinos for Liberty", "Dewey at Manila", and "The American Occupation."
Lala was born in Manila and educated in England. He lived in the US for many years and became a naturalized US citizen. This book is illustrated with his well-composed photographs (making this a key work in the history of Asian-American photography). The photos were so good that a year before this book came out the publisher was offering them to US magazines as "the only first class scenes in the Philippine Islands...of recent date and most excellent subjects" (NYPL, Continental Publishing letter to The Century, May 9, 1898).
342 pages plus a map leaf. Illustrated throughout with halftone photographs.
OCLC: 580663
Edition + Condition: First edition (first printing). A very good hardcover copy bound in green cloth printed with designs in green and red. Covers somewhat foxed; some interior foxing, but generally very good.
Item No: #296212
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