~~ Buying ~~

General Buying Interests

• Books relating to the Perry Expedition to Japan (19th or 20th century) (see below)
• Illustrated books published by K. (Kazumasa) Ogawa
• 19th or 20th century collotype illustrated books relating to Japan
• Shimbi Shoin art reproduction books
• T. Hasegawa books - Japan Fairy Tale Series & other books (plain paper or crepe paper), calendars and post cards
• Tamamura/Takagi collotype books
• Most illustrated books relating to Japan published between 1800-1880 (not included are woodblock print books with only Japanese text except Toyodo books)
• Toyodo published books with color woodblock or lithograph plates (1880-1925)
• Georges Bigot Japan related books, particularly those with etchings
• 19th century Albumen photographs (single or in albums) of Japan
• Books and memorabilia relating to Okinawa (Ryukyu/Lew Chew/Loo Choo) prior to 1945
• Stencil art (large calendars, etc) by Keisuke Serizawa

 
We are interested in purchasing sound books, lithographs and associated art work from the Narrative of the Perry Expedition to Japan. We are primarily interested in material from the 1856/7/9 publications. Here is what we are most interested in buying:

Books Purchased (Perry Expedition).

• The original three volume Narrative set¹ published in 1856 and 1857. In addition to the three volume set we purchase the volumes separately with primary interest in Volumes I and II. Facsimile sets are of interest but, of course, the value is only a small fraction of the original set.
• In addition to the three volume set we purchase the volumes separately with primary interest in Volumes I and II.
• The 1856/7 Appleton Abridged 1 volume Narrative (624 pages).²
• The 1857~9 Appleton Americans in Japan Abridged 1 volume Narrative (514 pages)³
• The 1856 - Heine Prints and Book.4
• 1856 - 1900 books/publications with Heine or Brown lithographs or pictures.
• Books, publications or art about the Expedition to Japan that date back to the 1850-60s.

Lithographs and Art Work Purchased.

• Lithographs and full Page art work from the original Narrative (3 volume set) as well as the abridged 1 volume set. This includes maps and drawings as well as the lithographs. Our primary interest is in the material from the volume 1 of the original three volume Narrative. Material from the three volume Narrative that has been trimmed down (i.e. measures less than 22+cm x 29cm) is only purchased at substantially reduced prices.
• Lithographs, engravings and other types of art work (full page/plate size) that can be positively attributed to a book/publication that was printed in the 1800-1875 period. Here we will require specific information as to the original source.

 
If you are offering an item for sale, we expect you to have formulated your asking price. Please read this page for more information. We generally do not make offers on this material until we know your expectations. If they are too high rather than make an offer to buy, we will just pass.

Stamps Purchased.

We are actively buying worldwide stamps, covers and postal stationery. Material from Japan, the Ryukyu Islands and other Far East countries is our primary interest but we purchase other countries (except South and Latin America).

References:

1.   1856 and 1857 Three Volume Narrative Set.   Narrative of the Expedition of an American Squadron to the China Seas and Japan,Performed in the Years 1852, 1853, and 1854, under the Command of Commodore M.C. Perry, United States Navy. Printed By Order of the Government of the United States. Compiled by Francis L. Hawks. There were two printers. One authorized by the US Senate (Senate Printer - Beverley Tucker) and the other by the US House or Representatives (House Printer - A. O. P. Nicholson).  

2.   One Volume Abridged Narrative.   Narrative of the Expedition of an American Squadron to the China Seas and Japan, Performed in the Years of 1852, 1852, and 1854, Under the Command of Commodore M. C. Perry, United States Navy, compiled by Francis L. Hawks, printed by Appleton, New York, 1856, 624 pages.  

3.   One Volume Abridged Narrative.   The Americans in Japan: An Abridgment of the Government Narrative of the U. S. Expedition to Japan, Under Commodore Perry, compiled by Francis L. Hawks, edited by Robert Tomes, printed by Appleton, New York 1857~9, 514 pages.  

4.   a. There was a group of six large ("elephant") folio prints in 1855. These prints are sometimes referred to as "elephant" prints.

      b. A book, Graphic Scenes of the Japan Expedition. The book has different images than the "elephant" prints and is in a slightly smaller format. This book has 12 leaves of text plus ten large folio lithographic prints