JAPAN

1p., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, with light signs of age. He is enclosing a cheque for two guineas towards 'The Frederic Fund', and writes that he had 'the pleasure of often meeting Mr Harold Frederic at the Savage Club some years ago'. He was 'deeply grieved to hear of his sad & untimely end'. He hopes enough money will be collected to be an 'appreciable help to his widow & children'. The letter relates to a celebrated Victorian scandal. In 1884 Frederic had come to England with his wife and five children as the London correspondent of the New York TImes.

Despite the fair amount of attention bestowed on the 'Anglo-Japanese Conversation' - the secret negotiations between the British government and the Japanese ambassador at the start of the Second Sino-Japanese War - it is only with the discovery of these two documents that it can be established that the two countries continued with informal negotiations until the fall of Nanking.

A letter of the first importance, as Baty had been since 1916 foreign legal adviser to the Japanese Government (following the death of Henry Willard Denison), and had been part of the Japanese delegation to the 1927 Geneva disarmament conference. Such was Baty's support for the Japanese position that the British Government seriously considered trying him for treason following the Second World War, choosing instead to revoke his British citizenship. 5pp., 4to. The first five pages of the letter only, and so lacking the signature, although Baty is without doubt the author.

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, on lightly aged and worn paper. The letterhead, printed in gothic type, in black with red capitals on the first line, reads: 'On letterhead of 'Odd Volumes: | United once a month to form a perfect Sette. | Objects: Conviviality and Mutual Admiration.' Bevan apologies to Cooke for being unable to 'come to your Gathering', as he is 'engaged that evening to take out my wife'. In a postscript he also apologises for not having 'come to the Trips', having been 'too much away'. For more information on the recipient, see his entry in Who Was Who.?>

38pp., 8vo. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. In 'Note Book Made of paper Specially prepared in Japan'. On front cover: 'J. GROSE | British Equestrian Team | Yo-yogi Village | Olympic Diary'. Begins on 23 September with flight from London Airport via Bombay. In Hong Kong he dines with 'Algie (Lady O'Connor)' at Flagstaff House. In the Olympic Village at Yoyogi on 26 September he discusses problems 'in our hut (448)', before inspecting 'the Equestrian Centre (Baji-Koen)'.

27pp., 12mo. Unbound. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper. Articles include: Parliamentary News (November 1944); Far East Conditions; Food and Medical Supplies; Minister of Cabinet Rank; Government Inter-Departmental Committee; Telegrams; Radio Message Scheme; Sunk Japanese Transports; List of Names of Prisoners of War and Civilian Internees; Inspection of Prisoners of War Camps; Pay; Leave; Mail.

A contemporary oriental album, 19 x 27cm., with oat cloth boards, green ribbon and embroidered spine, containing a beautiful collection of vintage 9 x 14cm. postcards in near-mint condition. None of the postcards has any manuscript marks or sign of postage.

2pp., 12mo. Printed on both sides of a single leaf. Fair, on aged and creased paper. Giving a list of addresses to which letters and postcards 'may be sent post free to Service personnel and Civilians known or believed to be in Japanese hands'. '[...] To avoid delay in Japanese censorship, no one should write more than once a week'. With an example of the way in which to 'address you letter', if 'the internment camp address is known'. Scarce: no copy on COPAC or WorldCat, although the Imperial War Museum does have a similar Leaflet P.2280E (1943), relating to prisoners of war in Europe.

16pp., 12mo. Stapled. In printed pink wraps, with map on inside back cover showing 'The Prisoner of War (Far East) Enquiry Centre' at Curzon St House in Mayfair. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper in worn wraps with creasing to one corner.

ii + 133pp., 8vo. Photographic portrait of the author as frontispiece. Fair, in lightly-worn blue leatherette binding, gilt. Inscription in English on front free endpaper: 'To National Committee for the Abolition of Capital Punishment, from Akir [sic] Masaki L.L.D. | 12. 22. 1969'. In a three-page 'Preface to the English Edition', dated July 1964, the author explains that the Japanese edition of the book was first published nineteen years before.

12pp., 4to, plus three leaves of plates on art paper. Stapled, in original buff printed wraps. A fragile item. Fair, on aged high-acidity paper, in chipped and worn wraps. Images captioned 'The First Photograph of the Sympathy Society', 'At School', 'At Play' and 'The Home'. Sections on the conversion of Shinjiro Omoto, and the 'Sympathy Home' ('Dojokwan'). Final 'Financial Statement' and 'Plans for Enlargement'. No copy on COPAC.

Poet, teacher and scholar (1896-1974). Two pages, 4to and one page, 8vo, both with envelopes (from Tokyo). (1924) A substantial letter sent when he was just settling in a his contract to 1927.

8vo, 3 pp. On the rectos of three letterheads of the Kanaya Hotel. The three leaves attached by string to one corner. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Headed 'Course of Procession', and divided A and B. Section A merely reads 'On the 1st of June | Three sacred cars move from Iyeyasu Shrine to Futaarano Jinja at about 5. P.M.' Section B begins 'All men clad in various costumes will be ready until 10.30 A.M. for a grand procession and at about 11.00 A.M.

12mo, 11 pp. Text clear and legible. On one side each of eleven leaves of lightly-aged paper, with slight creasing at foot of some leaves. The pages are numbered, and the article is incomplete, cutting off halfway through a sentence on p.11. An interesting and well-informed analysis, from an unashamedly pro-Japanese viewpoint.

Hf.lea, worn, raised bands, red lea., gt spine, title as above, some foxing and damage in parts, mainly good. Contents (listed on front endpaper in Abel Heywood's hand): "Four Days in Iceland"*, "A mountain walk in Norway"*, Scandanavian Stories about Huldre"*, " Notes on Japan and the Japanese"*, "Sveningdael"*, "Trout-fishing in Norway", "Fish out of Water", "A Night at the Lochinvar", "One Way to the Tweed", "A Fishing Adventure in Japan" [not listed in Contents], "The Vision of Fishes", "Fishes Ee-Seet", "Norway Re-visited".

A curious document which, whether it emanates from the British Foreign Office or not, provides valuable insight into informed British opinion on China in the period following the First World War. Printed on fourteen 34 x 21.5 cm leaves, paginated 1-13 with title on fourteenth leaf. On paper with the Britannia watermark of Waterlow and Sons Limited, London. Stapled. Text clear and complete on aged and foxed paper.

Both letters lightly creased and spotted, but good overall. Letter One (8vo, 8 pp): In stamped, addressed envelope. Begins by asking whether Haydon would consider acting as co-executor to his estate with his wife Flora. Outlines his financial situation and discusses the executor's duties. Turns to 'the naval situation', Haydon's letter on the subject being 'so guarded that it might be nailed up in Trafalgar Square without helping the enemy'.

Edition limited to 300 copies, of which this is number 185. Large 4to (34 x 24.5 cm), 40 pp. In original printed wraps, with colourred illustrations front and back. Internally good, on lightly-aged and creased paper. In aged, worn, spotted and creased wraps, with damp stain at head of spine (not penetrating to the book itself). Facsimile of the editor's signature, with limitation, on reverse of title. 36 facsimile pages, preceded by an introduction, covering one page, by Pereira, 'Aos admiradores de Wenceslau de Morais'.

Pamphlet, stitched as issued, sl. foxed and dusted, mainly good condition, 22pp. , 8vo. Report for 1896.

Good, in felt-tip pen on piece of blue paper, roughly 8 x 13 cms, with the slightest discoloration at extremities.

One page, octavo. On aged, grubby paper with minor staining at foot. He has spent 'all his monney for prints & Books I bought at Sale last Week. I have no balance in my Bank at all. (ganz nichts) if you are not inconvenient [sic] Please bring some L. S. D. on Saturday next'. Postscript: 'My business is Ratton N. B. G.' It is thought that Kato obtained a large portion of the Japanese prints for Sir Edmund Walker's celebrated collection.

Explorer in Japan. Good signature on pasaper, 3 x 1" approc. With: additional pencil note "Distinguished explorer in Japan made first ascents of many mountains" ascribed on the paper on which the signature is laid sown to "Dr [Howard] Somervell of Mt Everest Expedition" (1953 expedition, Somervelld.1975).