MEIJI PERIOD PHOTO ALBUM with 50 Hand-Colored Albumen Photographs Including the Aftermath of the Great Earthquake of 1891
@1892. Hardcover. Oblong Folio (13-1/2" x 10-1/2") in worn decorative cloth over heavy wooden boards and leather spine, with tissue guards for the photos. A personalized travel album from 19th century Japan with 50 hand-colored 10" x 7-5/8" albumen photographs laid down onto heavy cardboard pages with titles in the negative and occasionally in manuscript below the image (all in English). This was the album of Frank Leslie Coombs (1853-1934) who was a United States Minister (ambassador) to Japan from June 1892 to August 1893. Most images found within this album depict peaceful scenes of landscapes, temples, tea houses, and roads. Five images, however, illustrate the aftermath of the Mino-Owari earthquake, also known as the Great Earthquake of 1891. With a magnitude of 8.0, this quake left significant damage, some of it recorded here. Images include views of twisted bridges, crumpled buildings, and the town of Osaka burned to the ground. Cardboard pages in album have a slight wave; prints have light toning along edges and light silvering, a few prints with light soiling and foxing affecting content; all prints have good exposure. Heavy fraying and wear to covers, spine dry with moderate chipping and a tear along one edge. Covers Fair but overall the photographs themselves are Very Good. Item #019216
Price: $3,000.00