THE ARTS OF JAPAN - With 41 illustrations [Fourth edition - a near fine copy in the scarce dustwrapper]

Edward Dillon, M.A. [Cyril Davenport - General Editor]

Published by Methuen & Co. Ltd., 36 Essex Street W.C. London, 1922

About this Item

A fourth edition published in December 1922. The book was originally published in 1906, and was reprinted in 1909 and 1912 before this edition. A pocket-sized book published in Methuen's 'Little Books on Art' series - General Editor Cyril Davenport. ***Near fine in thin blue cloth-covered boards, with gilt titles and blind-stamped design to the spine with blind-stamped titles and design to the front board. The boards are exceptionally clean bearing in mind the age of the book and handling over the years. No bumps, creases or tears. The cloth is slightly near fine, even on the fragile spine. The gilt is still beautifully bright, having been protected by the dustwrapper. The fore-edge and bottom edge of the page block is untrimmed i.e rough-cut. The top edge is trimmed. Internally also near fined, with none of the usual foxing or off-setting. No inscriptions or annotations. No tears or creases. There is no reading lean to the spine. Spine tight. All illustrations present. ***In the rarely found original dustwrapper, which is also in near fine condition. The dustwrapper is complete, apart from a small area of loss at the head of the spine. Some wear and creasing to the extremities. There is a 1.5cm closed tear to the top edge of the back panel. The back panel is also discoloured slightly. Interestingly, there is a publisher's label on the spine declaring 'Reduced to 2/6' indicating that the book was remaindered some time after publication. The original price of 5/- net is printed on the front panel. ***212 pages including a Selected Bibliography of Works on Japanese Art and an Index at the back of the book. 152 mm x 110 mm. ***'In this little book, I have attempted to summarise the vast amount of information upon the Art of Japan that has lately become available, much of it from native sources. This I have supplemented with some recollections of a former residence in the country. The gulf that divides our western mind from that of the Japanese is a deep one, scarcely to be bridged even by one who, with the aid of natural gifts of sympathy, should devote many years to the study of the Japanese character. That this is so, we can see in the case of the late Lafcadio Hearn. Love and admiration for the people among whom he had lived so long, led him shortly before his death to become a subject of the Mikado. But to the end Hearn was conscious that in the minds of even his most intimate friends there was something that prevented a complete bond of union.' [Quotes taken from the author's Preface and Introductory] ***'Little Books on Art - a series of monographs in miniature, containing the complete outline of the subject under treatment. Each volume consists of about 200 pages, and contains from 30 to 40 illustrations.' [Quote taken from the back panel of the dustwrapper] ***A fourth edition of this nice little pocket book on the arts of Japan, in exceptional condition for its age - now 100 years old. A fragile production, and really uncommon in the original dustwrapper. A lovely collector's copy. ***For all our books, postage is charged at cost, allowing for packaging: any shipping rates indicated on ABE are an average only: we will reduce the P & P charge where appropriate - please contact us for postal rates for heavier books and sets etc. Seller Inventory # 7891

Bibliographic Details

Title: THE ARTS OF JAPAN - With 41 illustrations [...

Publisher: Methuen & Co. Ltd., 36 Essex Street W.C. London

Publication Date: 1922

Binding: Hardcover

Condition: Near Fine

Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine

Edition: Fourth Edition