1936 Edition of Ci Hai (Sea of Words, 2 Vols.)

This is the first edition of Ci Hai (Sea of Words), published by Zhonghua Book Company in 1936 in two volumes, an iconic landmark in the history of modern Chinese publishing and the inaugural version of the Ci Hai series.
Core Background & Compilation
Compilation Process: Initiated in 1928 by Zhonghua Book Company, the project was led by scholar Shu Xincheng and a team of experts. After nearly a decade of meticulous work, the dictionary was officially released between 1936 and 1937.
Innovative Scope: Breaking the tradition of classical Chinese dictionaries that only included archaic terms, this edition integrated ancient and modern vocabulary, encyclopedic terminology, and contemporary knowledge. It not only covered terms from classical texts but also systematically incorporated new words and events of the era (e.g., "Shanghai Incident," "Tanggu Agreement"), balancing academic rigor with contemporary relevance.
Scale & Content: The work contained nearly 86,000 entries with over 6 million characters, encompassing words, idioms, allusions, proper nouns (names, places), and scientific terms. It was the most comprehensive and systematic general dictionary of the Republic of China period.
Binding & Printing Details
Format & Binding: Presented in two volumes with hardcover cloth bindings, the spines feature the title Ci Hai in elegant clerical script, a classic design for large reference books of the Republican era. The cloth covers show natural patina from decades of use, adding to their historical character.
Printing & Paper: Printed with traditional Chinese lead type in vertical columns on period-appropriate paper (similar to early wood-free paper), the dense yet clear layout reflects the practical needs of reference works. Some copies, including this one, bear library stamps (e.g., "Shanghai [Middle School] Library Collection"), documenting their institutional history.
Historical Significance: This edition established the foundational framework for modern Chinese lexicography, serving as the blueprint for all subsequent revisions of Ci Hai. It profoundly shaped the knowledge systems of Chinese readers from the Republican era onward and remains a vital primary source for studying the culture, language, and society of 1930s China.