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
New York: D. Appleton and Company, 1856. First single volume edition. Hardcover. Quarto. (vii) 624pp. 3/4 green pebbled leather over green marbled paper boards, protected by modern mylar. Spine sunned to a brown color, with gilt lettering, ruling and raised bands. Green marbled endpapers with gilt. Engraved frontispiece.
This seminal work is a detailed account of the famed Perry Expedition to Japan. The work recounts Commodore Matthew Perry's naval voyages to China and most importantly, his historically significant arrival in Tokyo (Edo) bay in July of 1853. This moment began the process, which culminated in the opening of Japan to the West, and the beginning of one of the most significant and important eras in Japanese history. It is among the earlier significant and detailed descriptions of Japan and Japanese culture in English. The book was written under the direct supervision of Perry himself and utilizes written materials compiled by Perry and other members of the expedition. This single volume publication is the abridged form of the work of the same name originally issued in three volumes earlier the same year. Illustrated throughout with a total of 11 detailed engraved fold-out maps, as well as many engraved plates and countless additional small in-text engraved images. The preface to the work was written by Commodore Matthew Perry himself. The final pages contain extensive appendices and index sections.
Binding with some rubbing to extremities, most noticeably to the head and tail of the spine. Inside front gutter reinforced with Japan tissue. Sporadic minor to light water stains throughout, including to the title page and frontispiece, with some other plates foxed. A few pages have some light pencil markings. Minor age toning to the edges of some pages. Inside back gutter as well as on p. 607 very lightly starting, but book block is tight overall. Binding good, inteiror in very good- condition overall. g to vg. Item #49985
* Period press clipping pasted on the interior front cover.
Price: $550.00