Skip to Main Content

Korean Collections at The New York Public Library: A Survey: Secondary Sources

Secondary Sources

This survey includes secondary materials published in the 19th and early 20th centuries. These publications serve as valuable resources to scholars and students researching Korean culture, history, and international relationships with countries like China and Japan. 

For questions about these titles or to access them, please write to generalresearch@nypl.org 

Allen - Ehlers

1. Allen, Horace Newton (1858-1932).

Korea; fact and fancy

Being a republication of two books entitled "Korean tales" and "A chronological index," by Dr. Horace N. Allen. Seoul, Korea: Methodist publishing house, 1904. 285 p.; 22 cm.

Call Number: BEO (Allen, H. N. Korea; fact and fancy)


2. Allen, Horace Newton (1858-1932).

Korean tales; being a collection of stories translated from the Korean folk lore, together with introductory chapters descriptive of Korea

By H. N. Allen. New York, London, G. P. Putnam's sons, 1889.2 p., ℓ., 193 p. 20 cm. Introductory: The country, people, and government.--Descriptive: Sights in and about the capital.--The rabbit and other legends.--The enchanted wine jug.--Ching Yuh and Kyain Oo.--Hyung Bo and Nahl Bo.--Chun Yang.--Sim Chung.--Hong Kil Tong.

Call Number: *OTC (Allen, H. N. Korean tales)


3. Allen, Horace Newton (1858-1932).

Things Korean; a collection of sketches and anecdotes, missionary and diplomatic

By Horace N. Allen....New York, Chicago [etc.] F. H. Revell Company [c1908] 256 p. front., 7 pl. 20 cm. Korea.

Call Number: BEO (Allen, H. N. Things Korean)


4. Arnous, H. G. 

Korea; märchen und legenden, nebst einer einleitung über land und leute, sitten und gebräuche Koreas; deutsche autorisierte uebersetzung.

Leipzig, W. Friedrich [1893]  [2], 146, [1] p. front., illus. 

Call Number: *OAC p.v. 193


5. Azbelev, I. P.

Iaponiia i Koreia: zamietki iz krugosvietnago plavaniia. 

Moskva: A.A. Levenson, 1895. 276 p.: ill.; 15 cm.  S 15 risunkami." 

Call Number: *QF (Azbelov, I. IAponiia i Koreia)


6. Bergman, Sten (1895-1975). 

I morgonstillhetens land; skildringar fran en forskningsfärd till Korea, av Sten Bergman.

Stockholm, A. Bonnier [1937]. 229, [1] p., 1 l. front., plates, ports., fold. map. 24 cm. 

Call Number: BEO (Bergman, S. I morgonstillhetens land


7. Bergman, Sten (1895-1975).

In Korean wilds and villages

By Sten Bergman; translated by Frederic Whyte. London, J. Gifford, limited [1938]. 232 p. front., plates, ports., fold. map. 22cm. Translation of I morgonstillhetens land.  "First published 1938." 

Call Number: BEO (Bergman, S. In Korean wilds and villages)


8. Bird, Isabella L. (Isabella Lucy) (1831-1904).

Korea and her neighbors: a narrative of travel, with an account of the recent vicissitudes and present position of the country.

With a preface by Sir Walter C. Hillier. New York: Revell, 1898. 488 p.: ill.; 21 cm.

Call Number: BEO (Bishop, I. L. B. Korea and her neighbors)


9. Blakeney, William (1835-1912). 

On the coasts of Cathay and Cipango forty years ago; a record of surveying service in the China, Yellow and Japan seas and on the seaboard of Korea and Manchuria.

With illustrations by F. Le Breton Bedwell, R. N. Also numerous sketches, maps and plans. London, E. Stock, 1902. xx, 353 p. incl. front., illus., plates, ports., map. 3 pl. (1 col.) fold. maps, fold. charts, facsims. (part fold.) 23 cm.  Bedwell, Frederick Le Breton. Illustrator.

Call Number: BE (Blakeney, W. On the coasts of Cathay and Cipango)


10. Bourdaret, Emile. 

En Corée.

Paris: Plon-Nourrit, 1904. [4], ii, 361, [2] p. plates. 19 cm.

Call Number: BEO (Bourdaret, É. En Corée)


11. Brieux, Eugène (1858-1932). 

Au Japon par Java, la Chine, la Corée; nouvelles notes d'un touriste.

Paris: C. Delagrave, [c1914].  3  p. At head of title: Brieux...

Call Number: BE (Brieux, E. Au Japon par Java, la Chine, la Corée)


12. Broughton, William Robert (1762-1821).

Voyage of discovery to the north Pacific Ocean… the island of the Insu, (commonly known under the name of the land of Jesso) the north, south, and east coasts of Japan, the Lieuchieux and the adjacent isles, as well as the coast of Corea, have been examined and surveyed. Performed in His Majesty's sloop Providence and her tender, in the years 1795, 1796, 1797, 1798.

London, Printed for T. Cadell and W. Davies, 1804. xx, 393, [1] p. 6 pl. (4 fold.) 3 fold. maps (incl. front.) 27.5 x 22 cm. Engravings by S.I. Neele. Sabin 8423. Frontispiece bound after p. xx.

Call Number: *KF 1804 (Broughton, W. R. Voyage of discovery to the north Pacific Ocean)


13. Buckingham, Benjamin H.

Observations upon the Korean Coast, Japanese-Korean ports and Siberia, made during a journey from the Asiatic Station to the United States through Siberia and Europe, June 3 to September 8, 1882 

By B.H. Buckingham, George C. Foulk and Walter McLean. Washington: Govt. Print. Off., 1883. 163 p. : 1 fold. col.map; 23 cm. General information series. no. I Office of Naval Intelligence. Information from abroad. United States. Office of Naval Intelligence. Information from abroad. General information series. No. 1.

Call Number: BDL (Buckingham, B. H. Observations upon the Korean coast, Japanese-Korean ports, and Siberia)


14. Carles, W. R. (William Richard) (1848-1929).

Life in Corea.

London New York, Macmillan and co., 1888. xiv, 317 p. front., illus., pl., fold. map. 28cm.

Call Number: BEO (Carles, W. R. Life in Corea)


15. Cavendish, Alfred Edward John (1859-1943). 

Korea and the Sacred White Mountain : Being a Brief Account of a Journey in Korea in 1891.

By A.E.J. Cavendish; together with an account of an ascent of the White Mountain by H.E. Goold-Adams. London: G. Philip & Son, 1894. New ed. 224 p.: ill.; 23 cm.Goold-Adams, Henry Edward Fane (1860-1935).    

Call Number: BEO (Cavendish, A. E. J. Korea and the sacred White Mountain)


16. Curzon, George Nathaniel Curzon, Marquis of (1859-1925). 

Problems of the Far East; Japan, Korea, China.

London; New York: Longmans, Green, 1894. xx, 441 p., [31] leaves of plates: ill., ports., maps (1 fold col.) 22 cm. Indexed In: Chau & Chau. Blunden 8550. BE (Curzon, G. N. C. Problems of the Far East)


17. Drake, Henry Burgess (1894-1963). 

Korea of the Japanese.

With twenty-four illustrations from photographs. London, John Lane; New York, Dodd, Mead and company [1930].  6 p. 

Call Number: D-20 5326


18. Du Halde, J.-B. (Jean-Baptiste) (1674-1743). 

A description of the empire of China and Chinese-Tartary,  together with the kingdoms of Korea, and Tibet: containing the  geography and history ... of those countries ... From the  French ... with notes ... and other improvements ... by the translator ...

London, T. Gardner for E. Cave, 1738-41.   2 v. front., illus., plates (part fold.) plans. 39 1/2 cm. Vol. 2, Printed by E. Cave.

Call Number: BEL++ (Du Halde, J. B. Description of the empire of China)


19. Eden, Charles H. (Charles Henry) (1839-1900). 

China Historical and Descriptive. 

With an appendix on Corea; frontispiece by a native artist, numerous illustrations, and map. London: M. Ward, 1877. 334 p., [42] leaves of plates: ill., map (fold.); 19 cm. Includes index.

Call Number: BEM (Eden, C. H. China historical and descriptive)


20. Ehlers, Otto Ehrenfried (1855-1895)

Im osten Asiens. Von Otto E. Ehlers ...

Berlin, Allgemeiner verein für deutsche literatur, 1905. 5. aufl.  viii, 377 p. plates, port., 2 maps (1 fold.) 22 cm.  

Call Number: BEM (Ehlers, O. E. Im osten Asiens)

Fischer - Landor

21. Fischer, Emil Sigmund (1865-1945). 

Travels Through Japan, Korea and China.

Tientsin, China: Tientsin press, ltd.; 1928. 42 p. fold. map. 19 cm. 

Call Number: BE (Fischer, E. S. Travels through Japan, Korea and China)


22. Gale, James Scarth (1863-1937). 

Korea in Transition.

New York, Eaton & Mains [c1909]. xiii, 270 p.: ill., ports., map.; 20 cm.  Forward mission study courses. "References for further study" at end of chapters. Bibliography: p. 260-262.                    

Call Number: BEO (Gale, J. S. Korea in transition)


23. Garin-Mikhailovskii, N. G. (Nikolai Georgievich) (1852-1906). 

Koreiskiia skazki.

S.-Peterburg: Izdanie tovarishchestva "Znanie", 1904. 193 p.; 21 cm.

Call Number: *QCT (Garin, N. Skazki)


24. Garin-Mikhailovskii, N. G. (Nikolai Georgievich) (1852-1906). 

Po Koreie, Manchzhurii i Liaodunskomu poluostrovu: karandashom s natury.

S.-Peterburg : Izd. T-va "Znanie", 1904.  384 p.; 22 cm.

Call Number: *QF (Garin, N. Po Koreie)


25. Genthe, Siegfried.

Korea: Schilderungen von Dr. Siegfried Genthe, hrsg. von Dr. Georg Wegener.

Berlin: Allgemeiner Verein für deutsche Literatur, 1905. l., 343, [1] p. front. (port.) 22 cm.  Genthes Reisen, hrsg. von dr. Georg Wegener.  Wegener, Georg (1863-1939). 

Call Number: BEO (Genthe, S. Korea)


26. Gilmore, George William (1858-1933).

Korea from its Capital: with a Chapter on Missions. 

Philadelphia: Presbyterian board of publication and Sabbath-school work, [c1892]  328 p. front., pl. 19 cm.

Call Number: BEO (Gilmore, G. W. Korea from its capital)


27. Goldschmidt, Richard (1878-1958).

Neu-Japan; Reisebilder aus Formosa, den Ryukyuinseln, Bonininseln, Korea and dem südmandschurischen Pachtgebiet, von Professor Dr. Richard Goldschmidt. Mit 215 Abbildungen und 6 Karten.

Berlin, J. Springer, 1927. vi p., 1 l., 303, [1] p. illus. (incl. maps) 24 cm.

Call Number: BEY (Goldschmidt, R. B. Neu-Japan)


28. Hall, Basil (1788-1844). 

Account of a Voyage of Discovery to the West Coast of Corea, and the Great Loo-Choo Island : with an Appendix, Containing Charts, and Various Hydrographical and Scientific Notices.

By Captain Basil Hall; and a vocabulary of the Loo-Choo languages, by H.J. Clifford. London: John Murray, 1818. xv, [1], 222, cxxx, [72] p., [15] p. of plates: ill., maps (part fold.); 29 cm.

Call Number:  *KF 1818 (Hall, B. Account of a voyage of discovery)


29. Hamilton, A. (Angus) (1874-1913). 

Korea. 

With a map and illustrations.  New York: C. Scribner's sons, 1904. xliii, 315 p. front., plates, fold. map. 21 cm.  Military Service Inst.

Call Number: BEO (Hamilton, A. Korea)


30. Hamilton, A. (Angus) (1874-1913).

Korea; Its History, Its People, and Its Commerce.

Major Herbert H. Austin ... Viscount Masatake Terauchi. Boston, Tokyo: J. B. Millet company, [c1910] xvi, 326 p. incl. col. front. plates, fold. 25 cm. Series Oriental series, vol. xiii. Title within colored ornamental border. Austin, Herbert Henry (1868-1937). Terauchi, Masatake (1852-1919).

Call Number: *OTK (Hamilton, A. Korea)


31. Jessen, Peter (1858-1926).

Japan, Korea, China; Reisestudien eines Kunstfreundes. 

Leipzig: E. A. Seemann, 1921. 164 p. illus. 19 cm.

Call Number: BEW (Jessen, P. Japan, Korea, China)


32. Jones, George Heber (1867-1919).

Korea; the Land, People, and Customs

Cincinnati, Jennings and Graham; New York: Eaton and Mains, [c1907]. 110 p. 16 cm. Series Little books on missions. 

Call Number: BEO (Jones, G. H. Korea)


33. Katz, Richard (1888-1968).

Funkelnder Ferner Osten! Erlebtes in China--Korea--Japan, von Richard Katz. Mit 31 Tafeln und einer Karte.

Berlin: Ullstein, [c1931]. 298, [1] p., 1 ℓ. front., plates, fold. map. 22 cm. Plates printed on both sides.

Call Number: BE (Katz, R. Funkelnder Ferner Osten)


34. Kemp, Emily Georgiana (1860-1939).

The Face of Manchuria, Korea, & Russian Turkestan

Written and illustrated with xxiv plates, by E. G. Kemp. New York: Duffield, 1911.  xv, 247 p. [24] leaves of plates: ill. (some col.) fold. map; 24 cm. Gift of Dr. Arthur Purdy Stout.

Call Number: BDP (Kemp, E. G. Face of Manchuria, Korea, & Russian Turkestan)


35. Kondo, Tokiji.

Chosen meisho kiko: shiwa densetsu.

Tokyo: Hakubunkan, Showa 4, [1929]. [13], 466, 7 p.: ill., plates, folded map; 18 cm.

Call Number: *OTK (Kondo, Chosen meysho)


36. Korea.

Le Code pénal de la Corée, Tai-han hyeng pep ... par Laurent Crémazy ...  

Seoul: The Seoul press, Hodge & co., printers, VIIIe année Koang-Mou, 1904. xx, 182 p. 27 x 20 cm.

Call Number: *OTC+ (Crémazy, L. Code pénal de la Corée)


37. Korea i vara dagar: ofversattning.

Stockholm: E. Janse, 1894.  96 p.: map; 19 cm. Microfilm. New York: New York Public Library, 1982.

Call Number:  *Z-3395 no. 1 [Microfilm]


38. Kroebel, Emma.

Wie ich an den Koreanischen Kaiserhof kam. Reise-Eindrücke und Erinnerungen.

Berlin: Schönebert, Jacobsthal, [1909].  184 p. illus.

Call Number: BEO (Kroebel, E. Wie ich an den Koreanischen Kaiserhof kam)


39. K'uei-ling (d. 1878).

Journal d'une mission en Corée, par Koei-ling. Traduit du chinois par F. Scherzer.

Paris :  E. Leroux, 1877.  62 p. fold. col. map. 28 cm.  Scherzer, Fernand, 1849-1886. Translator.

Call Number: BEO (Kwei Ling. Journal d'une mission en Corée)


40. Landor, Arnold Henry Savage (1865-1924).

Corea: or, Cho-sen, the Land of the Morning Calm

With numerous text and full-page illustrations from drawings made by the author. New York: Macmillan, 1895. xiii, 304 p., [7] leaves of plates: ill.; 23 cm. Includes index.

Call Number: BEO (Landor, A. H. S. Corea. New York, 1895)

Lowell - Weber

41. Lowell, Percival (1855-1916).

Chosön; the Land of the Morning Calm: a Sketch of Korea

Illustrated from photographs by the author. Boston: Ticknor and company, c1886. x, 412 p.: ill., maps; 26 cm. 

Call Number: BEO (Lowell, P. Choson; the land of the morning Calm)


42. Miln, Louise Jordan (1864-1933).

Quaint Korea

London: Osgood, McIlvaine & co., 1895. viii, 306 p., 1 l. 20 cm.

Call Number: BEO (Miln, L. J. Quaint Korea)


43. M'Leod, John (1777?-1820).

Narrative of a Voyage in His Majesty's Late Ship Alceste, to the Yellow Sea, Along the Coast of Corea, and Through Its Numerous Hitherto Undiscovered Islands: With an Account of Her Shipwreck in the Straits of Gaspar.

London: John Murray ..., 1817. [4], 288 p.: front., plates (col.); 21 cm. (8vo).      

Call Number: Pforz (Mcleod, J./Narrative) 1817


44. Pange, Jean, comte de (1881-1957). 

En Corée ... Paris: Ernest Leroux

1904.65 p. fig., 1 carte h.t., couv. ill. 25 x 17 cm. Title vignette.

Call Number: BEO (Pange, J. de. En Corée)


45. Pecorini, Daniele, conte (1872-).

Japanese maple.

Translated from the Italian by Hilda Bonavia. London, G. Bles, 1935. 252 p. illus. 21 cm.

Call Number: BEW (Pecorini, D. Japanese maple)


46. Reclus, Elisée (1830-1905).

The earth and its inhabitants, Asia

By Élisée Reclus; edited by E.G. Ravenstein and A.H. Keane. New York: D. Appleton, 1884-1885.  4 v.: ill., maps ; 28 cm. v. 1. Asiatic Russia -- v. 2. East Asia -- v. 3. India and Indo-China -- v. 4. South-western Asia. V. 2-4, edited by A.H. Keane.  Keane, A. H. (Augustus Henry), 1833-1912. Ravenstein, Ernst Georg, 1834-1913.

Call Number: KC (Reclus, E. Earth and its inhabitants)


47. Rinsifée, of Sendai (fl. 1780).

San kokf tsou ran to sets, ou Aperçu général des trois royaumes. Tr. de l'original japonais-chinois par Mr. J. Klaproth. Ouvrage accompagné de cing cartes.

Paris, Printed for the Oriental translation fund of Great Britain and Ireland, sold by J. Murray [etc., London] 1832. 1 p. ℓ., vi, p., 1 ℓ., 288 p. 27 cm. and atlas of 1 p. ℓ., 2 pl., 5 fold maps. 32 x 25 cm. Title vignette. Japanese title at head of t.-p. Contains Korean and Aino vocabularies.      

Call Number: *OAG+ (Oriental Translation Fund. Rinsifée of Sendai. San kokf tsou ran to sets)


48. Rosny, Léon de (1837-1914).

Les Coréens: aperçu ethnographique et historique

Par Léon de Rosny. Paris : Maisonneuve frères et Ch. Leclerc, 1886.  91 p. : ill., maps ; 16 cm. Series Bibliothèque ethnographique ; v. 6. Title on added t.p.: Ethnographie de la Corée. Includes bibliographical references and index. Microfilm.

Call Number: *Z-640


49. Sachot, Octave.

Pays d'extrême orient; Siam. -- Indo -- Chine centrale. -- Chine. -- Corée. Voyages. -- Histoire. -- Géographie. -- Mœurs. -- Ressources naturelles

Paris, V. Sarlit, 1878.  2. ed. Description   vi, (1) 8-239 (1) p., 8 pl. 8vo. Gift of Dr. Arthur Purdy Stout.

Call Number: BGC (Sachot, O. Pays d'extrême orient)


50. Schalek, Alice Therese Emma (1874-1956).

Japan, das Land des Nebeneinander : eine Winterreise durch Japan, Korea und die Mandschurei ; mit 193 eigenen Aufnahmen.

Breslau: F. Hirt, 1925. 403 p.: maps, ports.; 24 cm. At head of title: Alice Schalek.

Call Number: BE (Schalek, A. T. E. Japan, das Land des Nebeneinander)


51. Sieroszewski, Wacław (1858-1945).

Korea: Land und Volk nach eigener Anschauung gemeinverständlich geschildert ... Einzig autorisierte Übersetzung von Stefania Goldenring ...

Berlin, Verlag Continent (T. Gutmann) [1905]. vii, 302 p., 1 map., 26 pl. 8vo.

Call Number: BEO (Sieroszewski, W. Korea: Land und Volk)


52. The shipwreck of the Alceste, an English frigate, in the straits of Gasper: also, The shipwreck of the Medusa ... a French frigate, on the coast of Africa; with observations and reflections thereon.

Dublin : Printed by T.I. White, 1831. 170 p., [6] leaves of plates : 6 ill.; 15 cm.

Call Number: VXCE (McLeod, J. Shipwreck of the Alceste)


53. Tietjens, Eunice (1884-1944).

Japan, Korea and Formosa.

Chicago: Wheeler publishing company, c1924.  xi, 404 p. : ill. ; 20 cm.  Burton Holmes travel stories ... edited by W. H. Wheeler ... and Burton Holmes.

Call Number: BE (Tietjens, E. H. Japan, Korea and Formosa)


54. Underwood, Horace Grant (1859-1916).

The call of Korea, political--social--religious, by Horace G. Underwood, for twenty-three years a missionary in Korea

Illustrated from photographs by Cameron Johnson. New York, Chicago [etc.] Fleming H. Revell co. [1908].  204 p. front. 7 pl., fold. map 20 cm.  "Questions and references": p. 189-204.

Call Number: BEO (Underwood, H. G. Call of Korea)


55. Underwood, Lillias H. (Lillias Horton) (1851-1921).

Fifteen years among the top-knots; or, Life in Korea, by L. H. Underwood, M.D. With introduction by Frank F. Ellinwood.

Boston, New York [etc.] American tract society [1904].  xviii, 271 p. front., plates, ports. 21 cm. 

Call Number: BEO (Underwood, L. H. Fifteen years among the top-knots. 1904)


56. Underwood, Lillias H. (Lillias Horton) (1851-1921).

Underwood of Korea; being an intimate record of the life and work of the Rev. H.G. Underwood, D.D., LL.D., for thirty one years a missionary of the Presbyterian board in Korea, by his wife, Lillias H. Underwood.

New York, London [etc.] Fleming H. Revell company [1918].      350 p. front., plates, ports., facsim. 21 cm. Underwood, Horace Grant, 1859-1916. 

Call Number: ZKVV (Underwood, L. H. Underwood of Korea)


57. Underwood, Lillias H. (Lillias Horton) (1851-1921).

With Tommy Tompkins in Korea.

By L.H. Underwood, M.D. New York, Chicago [etc.] F.H. Revell company [c1905].  326 p. front., 7 pl. 20 1/2 cm.

Call Number: BEO (Underwood, L. H. With Tommy Tompkins in Korea)


58. Vautier, Claire (b. 1850).

En Corée par Claire Vautier et Hippolyte Frandin.

Paris, C. Delagrave [1904]. 188, [1] p. illus. 25 cm.

Call Number: BEO (Vautier, C. V. En Corée)


59. Walton, Joseph (1849-1923).

China and the present crisis, with notes on a visit to Japan and Korea, With a map of China.

London, S. Low, Marston & Company (Limited) 1900.  xii, 319 p. fold. map. 20 cm. 

Call Number: BEM (Walton, J. China and the present crisis)


60. Weber, Norbert (1870-1956).

Im Lande der Morgenstille; Reise-Erinnerungen an Korea, von Norbert Weber. Mit 24 Farbentafeln nach Lumière-Aufnahmen des Verfassers, 28 Vollbildern und 290 Abbildungen im Text, sowie mit 3 Karten.

St. Ottilien, Oberbayern, Missionsverlag, 1923. 2. Aufl.  xi, 466 p. illus., plates, ports. 26 cm.

Call Number: BEO (Weber, N. Im lande der morgenstille)


61. Weber, Norbert (1870-1956).

In den diamantbergen Koreas.

Oberbayern, Missionsverlag St. Ottilien, 1927. 108 p. front plates (part col) map. 23 cm. "Literatur zu den koreanischen Diamantbergen," 1 p. at end.

Call Number: BEO (Weber, N. In den Diamantbergen Koreas)