The Golden Lotus and Other Legends of Japan

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Greey, Edward [written and with covers designed and drawn by].

Boston : Lee and Shepard, 1883. First edition.

A first edition copy of Greey's 'The Golden Lotus', inscribed by him to Mrs. (Lizzie) Fenollosa (dated 1882, before the official publication of the book). Ernest Fenollosa taught political economy and philosophy at the Imperial University at Tokyo, and had as his assistant Okakura Kakuzō. Greey, on the other hand, was an author and art dealer specialising in Japanese art. He had been sent as an attaché to the British Legation in Japan, and had quickly found a love of the country, publishing extensively on its culture and history. He met an unfortunate end in 1888 when, pressured by financial woes, he took his own life. This copy of Greey's book on Japanese folklore comes with a detailed colour sketch on onion skin paper, presumably also by Greey, who was known for his artistic skills and who designed the boards for this book. It is probable that Greey sent the sketch together with the book to Mrs. Fenollosa as a gift. A unique copy, with good provenance.

Original boards, extremities and spine a little worn, minor fraying to spine head. Lower board corners lightly bumped. Pages slightly browned. Light creases and browning to sketch. Otherwise near fine. 1 v., complete. 145 p. 19.8 x 17.3 cm. Text in English.

The Golden Lotus and Other Legends of Japan
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