1871 Scarce First Edition bound by Riviere and Son - Tales of Old Japan by A. B. Mitford with illustrations on wood by Japanese Artists.

Author: A. B. Mitford.
Title: TALES OF OLD JAPAN. By A. B. Mitford, Second Secretary to the British Legation in Japan. With illustrations, drawn and cut on wood by Japanese Artists.
Publisher: London, Macmillan and Co., 1871. First Edition. Complete set of 2 volumes.
Language: Text in English.
Size: 8" X 5.5".
Pages: xii-277, 272 pages.
Binding: Attractive and near fine blue half-morocco leather binding, finely bound by Riviere and Son for Sotheran with gilt titles and decoration to spines (hinges fine) under a protective removable mylar cover. Upper edge gilt. A beautiful set!
Content: Very good content (bright, tight, and clean, very rare light foxing - as shown, nice ex-libris of W.A. Foyle of Beeleigh Abbey on the first endpaper of both volumes - as shown, original pictorial black cloth front covers bound at rear of each volume - as shown).
Illustrations: Complete with the 31 illustrations, drawn and cut on wood by Japanese Artists..

Estimate: (USD 750 - USD 1000).

The books: A scarce first edition of Tales of Old Japan by A. B. Mitford, beautifully bound by Riviere and Son, offers a fascinating glimpse into Japanese folklore, customs, and history. This seminal work, penned by the Second Secretary to the British Legation in Japan, is celebrated for its rich collection of stories and essays, including accounts of samurai honor, hara-kiri, and the tea ceremony, among others. It stands out not only for its insightful commentary and storytelling but also for its unique illustrations, drawn and cut on wood by Japanese artists, providing authentic depictions that enhance the reader’s understanding and appreciation of Japanese culture.

The author: Algernon Bertram Freeman-Mitford, Lord Redesdale (1837 – 1916), was a British diplomat, collector, and writer. Mitford lived in Japan during the final years of the Edo period and the beginning of the Meiji Restoration, a time of significant change in Japan. His experiences and insights into Japanese society and culture during this pivotal period are vividly captured in Tales of Old Japan, making it a valuable resource for anyone interested in Japanese history and folklore.

The previous owner:  Hailing from the esteemed collection of William Foyle (1883-1963), a titan among 20th-century booksellers. In 1943, he acquired Beeleigh Abbey, a historic medieval monastery, transforming it into a sanctuary for his magnificent personal library. This library boasted an unparalleled collection of manuscripts and volumes spanning English history and literature, as well as European and global historical narratives and explorations. These treasures were nestled within the Abbey's picturesque former monastic dormitory, each proudly bearing a leather bookplate marked W. A. Foyle, Beeleigh Abbey.