Archivist to Compile Catalogues of Rare Chinese and Japanese Printed Matter (Rockland County, NY and Remote)
Posted February 20, 2025
Specialist book collector and seller seeks qualified individual(s) to help catalog and promote the sale of Chinese and Japanese books, periodicals, posters and paper ephemera.
The collection, in part, includes:
Chinese books and periodicals, posters, children’s textbooks and readers; material on Mao, photography, art, comics/cartoons, sex and marriage, hygiene and medicine, women’s issues, Christianity, education, literacy, school yearbooks; Chinese leaflets dropped over South Korea during Korean War, and original Chinese drafts for them; Cultural Revolution periodicals, mimeo documents, illustrated material; material on Minorities, Korea, Taiwan, Tibet, Vietnam, anti-US, anti-imperialism.
Japanese books and periodicals re: China, Manchukuo, tourism, children, war, sugoroku, kamishibai, karuta, paper games; shunga, Edo to Showa. Mongolian tsakli, prints, and educational drawings.
The goal is to make Illustrated online catalogues based on particular subject areas for targeted distribution to a mailing list. Additionally, the mailing list requires editing and updating for individuals and institutions. The catalogues are mailed electronically every 2 to 3 weeks for a period of 1 to 2 years, each containing 75-100 illustrated items. Most items will not require English translation. Catalogue entries in their language of publication will include creator-author, title, publisher, date, number of pages, height in cm, and information regarding maps, illustrations, or other particulars.
Qualified candidates must have academic (tertiary level) fluency in Chinese and/or Japanese reading and writing skills. Candidates with social media promotional skills are especially encouraged to apply.
The work would commence with an orientation visit(s) to the collector’s home in Rockland County, New York. Catalogue materials can be shipped for photographing, compilation, and electronic distribution to the targeted mailing lists. Created catalogues will be located on a shared Google Drive. For reference and sample catalogues which have been successful please see Pekingmanbookshop.com.
Pay begins at $30 per hour and will increase depending on ability and productivity. Transportation to the site of the collection is also possible. This is a temporary and part-time job where the work is done at home (of the successful applicant). Can begin as soon as possible and, if desired, have a summer break. The work could take up to one year.
How to Apply:
Applicants are requested to provide a brief CV, two professional references, and a statement of why this work is of interest to you to: [email protected]. Any questions should be directed to the same email address.