Condition. The periodical is in Good condition. The covers have light soiling and there is a toned area along the bottom 1/4 of the front cover. Corners are dog eared. There is a heavy vertical crease down the middle of the entire publication (probably folded for mailing). The fragile spine covering is broken over about 60% of the spine area. Internally the publication is very clean with no foxing or staining. The paper is supple, not brittle. There is an ink signature at the top right on the front cover. The plates, tables and map are in Fine condition with no breaks, tears, foxing or staining.

 
von Gebauer
Kempermann, P.
Greeven, G.A.
Dr. Lange
Dr. Martin, G.
Jaquet, L.
Knipping, E.
Herr Prof. Doenitz:
Mittheilungen der Deutschen Gesellschaft fur Natur-Und Volkerkunde Ostasien's. Herausgegeben von dem Vorstande, Heft 13 (Journal of the German Society for Natural and Cultural Science of East Asia, Part 13), November 1877, Yokohama, Buchdrukerei Der "Echo du Japon," 4to (8 3/4 x 13 in - 22.2 x 33 cm), paper wraps over string binding, German text and printed in columns, 4 black and white plates, one large folding map (22 1/4 x 18 in - 54.5 x 46 cm), 3 very large meteorological fold-out tables, numbered pages 80-108, 29 pp. The tables, plates and map are all at the rear after the numbered text pages.

The 3 large fold-out tables present detailed meteorological observations ("Meteorologische Beobachtungen aufgezeichnet zu Tokio") for Tokyo from September 1, 1872 through March 1, 1873. Each table is printed front and back, with 5 folds out and measure 33 x 95.2 cm when opened fully. The associated article also contains a one page table of meteorological observations for the period of April through September, 1876.

This issue contains an article on the battle in Ueno. The article carries the date of July 4, 1868. The complete article on the battle is here. The article is accompanied by a very detailed fold-out map titled "Plan von Alten Ueno." This was the famous battle in which the Emperor's forces battled the forces loyal to the Tokugawa family (shogitai) in Tokyo and swept them from the city.

General comments regarding Mittheilungen der Deutschen Gesellschaft fur Natur- Und Volkerkunde Ostasiens. This periodical is a well illustrated scholarly journal covering all facets of life and culture in Meiji era Japan. The primary contributors to the publication were German scientists, scholars and academicians living in Japan at the time. You often find their works published in a similar scholarly journal, Transactions of the Asiatic Society of Japan, which began publication in 1872 in Japan. The publication was issued individually and in bound volumes. Volumes 1-6 (1873-1897) contain parts 1-60 and were issued in the 4to format. Beginning with volume 7 the format was changed to 8vo. It appears that while publication was suspended from 1916-21 and from 1946-52 the periodical was published until 1953 and perhaps later. Wenckstern contains a very detailed listing (article by article) of the contents through Volume 10 (1906). Reprints of the earlier issues were made. The issues contain numerous text illustrations, tables, maps, plans, musical scores, and plates (some fold out and in color). Part 23 (March 1881) has a well illustrated article on "Die Liu-Kiu-Insel Amami Oshima" by Dr. L. Boederlein.

Variations in titles. The publication generally carries the title Mittheilungen der Deutschen Gesellschaft fur Natur-Und Volkerkunde Ostasiens. Herausgegeben von dem Vorstande on the front cover. Sometimes "Ostasines" has an apostrophe ("Ostasien's"). From the periodicals I have examined, the "Ostasien's" variation began with Part 3, September 1873. A reprint of Part 1 dated 1890 carries the title Mittheilungen der Deutschen Gesellschaft fur Natur-Und Volkerkunde Ostasiens in Tokio."

Printers. The first part ("Erstes Heft." - Mai 1873) does not state a printer only "Yokohama." The second part (2tes Heft. - July 1873 and third part (3tes - September 1873) were printed by the Japan Mail, Yokohama ("Yokohama/Druckerei der 'Japan Mail."). Starting with part four (4tes Heft. - Januar 1874) the printer is Echo du Japon, Yokohama ("Yokohama/Druckerei der 'Echo du Japon"). At least through part 24 (1881) and probably later, Echo du Japon remained the printer. A reprint of part one in 1890 was printed by R. Meiklejohn & Co, Yokohama ("Buchdruckerei Von R. Meiklejohn & Co.").

Albumen photograph tipped in illustrations. I have confirmed two parts with tipped to page albumen photographs. These are:

• Part 2, July 1873, at page 10, four tipped in albumen photographs (6.6 x 12.5 cm, each photograph). The page is titled "Ein Japanischer Globus." and the photographs show sections of a map/globe.
• Part 4, January 1874, at page 3, one tipped in albumen photograph (17.3 x 12 cm). The photograph follows an article titled "Sitzung in Yokohama am 10ten Januar 1874." The image is very faded but appears to be a view looking at a bluff.

More information on early issues:

• Parts 1-6, May 1873 through December 1874, click here.
• Part 6, December 1874, 1890 reprint, click here.
• Part 12, 1877, Separate (Supplemental) Issue, click here.
• Part 13, November 1877, click here.
• Part 24, 1881, Separate (Supplemental) Issue, Liu-Kiu-Insel - Amami Oshima article, click here.

Contents:

    Aufsaetze (Pages 80-108)
 
Notizen Uber den Fortschritt der Japanischen Civilisation auf dem Gebiet der ehe by von Gebauer
 
Die Kami Yo no Modji Oder Goetterschrift, Mit 4 Tafeln by P. Kempermann
 
Ueber Den Udji by G.A. Greeven

Der Kampf Auf Ueno, Mit ener Karte by Dr. Lange

Ueber Die Flora Des Tshuzenji See's by Dr. G. Martin

Un Nouveau Succedance Du Cafe by L. Jaquet

Meteorologische Beobachtungen by E. Knipping


    Sitzungsberichte (at pages 103-5)

Berichte Ueber Die Sitzungen Von Mai Bis Juli 1877 
   Sitzung in Yokohama, am 5ten Mai 1877, Vorsitzender: Herr Prof. Doenitz
   Sitzung in Tenkoin, Yedo, am 9ten 1877, Vorsitzender: Herr Prof. Doenitz
   Sitzung in Yokohama, 14ten Juli 1877, Vorsitzender: Herr Prof. Doenitz
   Bibliothek


Table of Contents (inside the back cover)

Fold Out Map
Titled: "Plan von Alten Ueno, Siehe Den Aufsatz Pag 97"

2 folds out, 1 fold down - 22 1/4 x 18 in - 54.5 x 46 cm



Meteorological Observations Table for April through September, 1876



Meterological Observations, Tables for Tokyo from September 1, 1872 
through March 1, 1873.
(front of the first page of the first large fold-out tables)





Plates (all relate to the "Die Kami Yo no Modji Oder Goetterschrift" article.