Julius Richter describes in this volume the life and work of the Hamburg merchant Ferdinand Dorn, who pursued his trade as a dealer in Singapore and Shanghai since the mid-19th century and is considered a pioneer of German East Asian trade. Richter vividly and entertainingly recounts successes as well as setbacks from Dorn's personal and professional life, creating a colorful and multifaceted picture of the era. This is a carefully revised reprint of the original edition from 1905.