CDV of Enomoto Takeaki taken in London Extremely rare, dated photo with related correspondence
[Japan] Quite probably unique carte de visite of Enomoto Takeaki standing next to J.J. van Coeverden (1829-1909), director of the Prince William of Orange Iron Foundry in The Hague. The photo was taken in London and is signed on the reverse by Enomoto and van Coeverden, who has also written in Dutch that the photo was taken when Enomoto was visiting England, Scotland and Ireland in September, October and November 1864. Importantly, the CDV is accompanied by a letter dated The Hague, 23 January 1865 to Thomas Carswell in Glasgow, written in secretarial hand and signed by van Coeverden stating, '.....As a remembrance to our stay in your town I take the liberty to hand you enclosed also in the name of my fellow traveller Mr Enomoto Kamadri-roo, officer to the Japanese Navy, a photographic card. We should be obliged if receiving each also a remembrance of you by a photographic card.' Along with another letter dated The Hague, 6 February 1873 from van Coeverden to Carswell, reading in part, '.....When people don't meet within seven years, it may be very likely that they completely forget each another. I hope however, when in searching in your memory for that time, you will remember that you kindly led me through Mr Napier's works, when I called at those Gentlemen, accompanied by my Japanese friend, Mr Enomotto [sic].....', and then asking a few questions regarding pig iron from Glasgow and closing by updating Carswell on Enomoto, '.....Our friend Enomoto has returned home some years ago to Japan and was the chief of a revolution proclaimed by the Taikoen, who had been turned out. He took some vessels, was commander of the Taikoen's Navy but was defeated afterwards. Japanese civilisation saved him from having his stomach opened, in stead of that his antagonist the Mikado made him commander in chief of his Navy.'
London. London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company. 1864.
Photo 9.5 x 6.5cm. Letters 26.5 x 20.5cm and 27 x 21.4cm.
Photo in very good condition with minor age wear. 1865 letter with age wear and minor chipping and loss at edges. 1873 letter very good. p34101274
