Book of Receipts including one made out to a Japanese person Mystery requiring further research
[Japan] A very puzzling book because of one receipt that stands out because it is seemingly signed by a Japanese man named Seikichi and clearly dated December 14th, 1862. The problem is there were no known Japanese living in the US at that time. Could he have been a stowaway from the 1850s who was rescued and began a life in the US because he was unable to return to Japan due to the closed country policy? Or was he a member of the 1860 embassy to the US who was somehow allowed to stay on in the US? Murphys is in California and F(reeman) Dunbar was a lumber company. The receipts each have a small illustration of a steam locomotive so presumably the lumber was for railway construction. The person named Seikichi has dated the receipt Dec. 14th in Japanese matching the date at the top. The receipts in the book range from 1859 to 1864 and there are 3 to a page. Marbled endpapers. Boards appear to be calf.
23 leaves with receipts (3 to a page), the rest of the book is unused. 18 x 22cm.
In good condition. Covers worn with some deterioration. Internally good with expected age wear. e35031376
