The Collected Works of R. Austin Freeman (Illustrated Edition) showcases the brilliance of R. Austin Freeman, a pioneer of the golden age of detective fiction. This comprehensive collection includes Freeman's iconic series featuring Dr. John Thorndyke, a medical jurist and detective who uses scientific methods to solve complex mysteries. Freeman's intricate plots, attention to detail, and meticulous research set him apart as a master of the genre, influencing later writers such as Agatha Christie. Readers will be captivated by the clever twists and intellectual challenges presented in these classic tales of deduction and crime solving. R. Austin Freeman, a trained physician and innovator in forensic science, drew upon his medical expertise to create the character of Dr. Thorndyke. His background in anatomy and pathology enabled him to craft realistic and plausible mysteries that are both entertaining and intellectually engaging. Freeman's dedication to scientific accuracy and logical reasoning shines through in his detective stories, offering readers a unique blend of entertainment and education. The Collected Works of R. Austin Freeman (Illustrated Edition) is highly recommended for fans of classic detective fiction and those interested in the history of the genre. Freeman's innovative approach to crime solving, combined with his distinctive narrative style, continues to intrigue and delight readers of all ages.

This book presents the first comprehensive study of the collecting, consumption and display of Chinese porcelain in Britain from the 16th to the 20th century, as well as the impact of this activity on British culture. Beginning with the early porcelains acquired as objects of exotica and vessels for the consumption of tea and coffee, followed by porcelains for display in the country house interior, the first part of this book reveals the role of porcelain in Britain's developing economic relations with China and the impact of this material on both daily life and interior design. The subsequent diplomatic and political conflicts of the 18th and 19th centuries provide a framework for an examination of British consumption of Chinese porcelain as both spoils of war and iconic representations of China, material which helped to shape and influence British perceptions of China. The final section demonstrates how these perceptions of China and its porcelain began to change significantly in the 20th century with porcelains acquired as works of art and displayed publicly in museums. Collectors in Britain began to specialise in this area and actively invented a 'field' of Chinese ceramics that was promulgated by learned societies and culminated in the founding of a museum of Chinese ceramics in London by one of the foremost British collectors, Sir Percival David, who donated his world class collection to the University of London in 1950.