Sketches at the Time of the Commencement of British Intercourse with Japan with hand drawn illustrations by Alcock, Wirgman, Gower and Japanese artists
[Japan] One of the most historically important works relating to the earliest days when Westerners were permitted to live in Japan from 1859.
An album of original drawings and prints of Japan, c.1859-63 owned by Alcock (Sir John Rutherford, 1809-1897) containing 76 watercolours & drawings, 16 coloured or tinted lithographs and 126 wood engravings of Japanese views, scenes, people and culture, various sizes, neatly pasted onto rectos and some versos of 116 numbered leaves, neat ink captions, calligraphic title, preface and index by H. G. Lowder, (Hankow, China, 4 March 1924), Lowder’s library ticket 'no. 568' tipped in, early 20th-century leather, gilt-titled spine, rubbed, some edge and corner wear, 4to (26 x 22 cm). Hugh Gordon Lowder was a descendant of Alcock's and his second wife, Julia Lowder and the album was assembled by him, while Commissioner Chinese Maritime Customs at Hankow. Lowder explains in the introductory note that the album chiefly comprises sketches 'illustrating the dress, manners, customs, and country of the people at that period', with sketches drawn by John Rutherford Alcock, S[amuel] J[ohn] Gower [1825-1892], C[harles] Wirgman [1832-1891], ‘and various Native Artists’. The majority were published as lithographs and wood engravings in Alcock’s two-volume memoir The Capital of the Tycoon (1863). Lowder’s index cross-references all the published watercolours and prints with the published book. He also mentions that due to the 1923 earthquake in Japan, many such illustrations etc. were lost so we believe this was the catalyst for him to compile this album with these illustrations that were with him in China.
Of the original drawings and sketches not reproduced in the book there are 3 watercolours and 9 pencil sketches by Alcock (dated 1860-61): The Road to Hakoni [Hakone], View of Hakoni, Road to Oiso and Fusiyama [Fujiyama], Road to Atami, View on the Road, Main Spring of the Sulphur Baths at Atami, View of Atami, Road to Omura, Journey - Yamai to Uzino [Ujino], View, Guard House at Osaka, Nagasaki from the Entrance; 4 pencil drawings by Gower (1860-61): Female Type; Tea House Attendants, Tea House at Ogee [Oji], Waterfall from the Tea House at Ogee; 5 watercolours by Wirgman (1859 and undated): Guard at the British Legation, Yeddo, Relieving the Legation Guard, Yeddo, Maidservant, Group of Officers, Light Refreshments; and 4 watercolours by native artists (undated): The Melon Gatherers (2 versions), The Village Procession and the Errant Son.
Provenance: Sold at auction in May 2025 by descendants of Lowder.
