The Research On The Zhejiang Offficial Press

Zhejiang official press is one representative of the engraved-book institutions when the official presses are rising in the late Qing Dynasty, in which a large number of inexpensive books of high quality published in a short history. On behalf of the official presses, while protecting and disseminating the traditional culture, Zhejiang official press also promotes and spreads the development of the western advanced thought, science and technology in China. Although the whole research on the official presses in the late Qing Dynasty is intensive, the distinctive local official presses haven't been studied deeply. In particular, there are few who studies the most representative Zhejiang official press. At present, the study of ZheJiang official press mainly focuses on the debate on the date when it was set up and when it was merged into Zhejiang Library. Some study discusses the categories and the number of the books which were engraved in this press. However, there is no convincing conclusion. On the basis of the historical data and previous research findings, this thesis attempts to explore on Zhejiang official press from three main aspects: its establishment and merging, the characteristics, categories and numbers of engraved books, and its historical position and influence, in order to have a comprehensive knowledge of Zhejiang official press. Finally, through sorting out and analyzing the relevant research, a more detailed list of books engraved by Zhejiang official press are presented so as to facilitate the identification in the future.This thesis consists of introduction, body and conclusion.Introduction discusses the status quo study of Zhejiang official press and puts forward the significance of the topic.The body is divided into four parts:The first part is devoted to study on the establishment and the end of Zhejiang official press. As one of the five official presses in the late Qing Dynasty, Zhejiang official press was founded with underlying social causes, while the process of both its foundation and end is of great significance to the study.The second part centers on exploration of features and numbers of engraved books of Zhejiang official press. As far as features of engraved books of official books, this thesis analyze and argument from two aspects: form and content. The types and numbers of engraved books of official books have been an important and difficult point on the study of Zhejiang official press, which has been probed in this thesis.The third part attempts to analyze the historical status and role of Zhejiang official press. Though existing for a relatively short time, it plays an enormous historical role. Zhejiang official press has made important contributions to cultural undertakings in modern China, especially to the inheritance and protection of culture.The fourth part presents the table of bibliography, paper, plates, and plate-type of engraved books of Zhejiang official press. This part mainly includes diagrams, providing detailed information on the bibliography, paper, and plate-type of books engraved by Zhejiang official press. Besides, the plates of engraved books have been counted.Conclusion summarizes the whole thesis.