Street Scenes Yokohama 100 Wonderful, Hand-Drawn Illustrations
[Japan] Unique Japanese string-bound album containing 100 beautifully drawn illustrations of scenes showing the daily life of Japanese people in Yokohama. The title label states, 'Street Scenes, Yokohama. J.S. Stuart from H.P.C.'. Tradesmen, merchants, samurai, women and children are all shown in vivid colour. There is a very early feel to the album and it is quite likely that such albums were made prior to photography becoming more widespread in the 1870s. Two illustrations are stamped 'Henry Clifford Stuart - His Book' and the front pastedown has the same seal along with another stating, 'This book is lent upon the express condition that it be returned to it's [sic] owner, Henry Clifford Stuart, within two weeks.' Presumably this is the New York financier and J.S. Stuart was one of his forebears. We haven't managed to discover who H.P.C. was.
Artist unknown. c1860s-70s.
100 leaves. 20.2 x 29.8cm.
In very good condition. Minor age wear and creasing to covers. Internally very good with only a few minor marks. b35031357b